Work has started building much needed social housing on the site of a former car park on the corner of Herschel Street and Alpha Street North in Slough town centre.

The 14 one and two bedroom homes have been designed and will be delivered through Slough Urban Renewal, SUR, the council’s property partnership with Morgan Sindall Investments Limited.

They will be managed by James Elliman Homes.

A 65-metre stretch of Herschel Street, between Hencroft Street North and Alpha Street North, will be closed to cars and pedestrians until 2021 while work continues.

The closure will mean traffic following a short diversion until the end of construction. Public transport may also be affected with different bus stops and residents should check with their bus service provider for changes.

The closure is necessary due to complex utility work below the surface of the road and to create a compound for work materials and builders.

Cllr James Swindlehurst, leader and cabinet member for regeneration and strategy, said: “This development is a further contribution to providing more social homes for Slough residents by repurposing small unused sites.

“I hope people can bear with us during the inconvenience of the construction phase while we work to complete these much needed properties for 14 families.”

Road signs have been placed in and around the area to inform motorists of the closure as well as a sign posted diversion.

Normal restrictions in neighbouring roads, including one way systems, remain in place and should be observed.