Work is starting on hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of road improvements - designed to make Langley 'future proof'.

In the next few weeks the Harrow Market junction, which is currently a roundabout where Langley Road, Station Road and the High Street meet, will get a £750,000 remodel.

The meeting of the three roads will be managed by traffic lights with a pedestrian crossing positioned at each junction.

It has been made possible with funding from Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership and is the second phase of a plan that has already seen an upgrading of pedestrian and cycle access around Langley train station, a new zebra crossing on Station Road and improved drainage to reduce localised flooding.

The latest work is being started in the quieter summer holidays to minimise the disruption to local residents and commuters.

Other work will include widening the roads at the Harrow Market junction, the removal of speed cushions on all approaches to the current roundabout, resurfacing work and adjustments to street signs and guardrails.

The village’s millennium monument will be removed from the roundabout and kept in storage for a short time before being repositioned in a new home. A new path with lighting will also be created in Langley Memorial Ground.

The work is being carried out because Hollow Hill Lane will close before 2027, as part of the planned Western Rail link work to Heathrow. This work by Network Rail is due to start in 2022.

Engineers believe removing the roundabout and replacing it with a traffic light controlled three-way junction should avoid a repetition of the congestion that happened when Hollow Hill Lane/ Market Lane was closed as an experiment in 2016.

Cllr Rob Anderson, council cabinet member for transport and environmental services, said: “We apologise for any inconvenience and noise caused during these improvements.

“We are very grateful for the support from Thames Valley Berkshire LEP to be able to remodel the junction which will be needed because of the future closure of Hollow Hill Lane and Market Lane, something which is beyond our control.

“We hope residents and commuters will bear with us while this work is taking place."