Issue - meetings

An officer comment to the following petition is included within: Create a safe route for pedestrians and cyclists between Chobham and Woking

Surrey Heath Local Committee agreed:

i)          To progress with work on the pedestrian and cycle facility when funds became available to do so.

ii)         That part of the existing footway will have maintenance work carried out to restore the original width.

Reason for the decision:

The above decision was made because although the provision of a continuous route for pedestrians and cyclists between Chobham and Woking would be ideal, the financial and physical constraints do not currently make this route possible.

Declarations of Interest: None

Officers attending: Andrew Milne, Area Highways Manager

Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: The lead petitioner, Mr Norman Johns addressed the committee with his concerns over the lack of a family friendly cycle route between Chobham and Woking. He noted there appeared to be a lot of funding available from developers, parking and landfill tax that could be put towards such a scheme. Such a route would be well used as Woking High Schools catchment area extends to Chobham and with lack of a good bus route between the two locations many children would opt to cycle. The current option for cycling is only really usable by the experienced cyclist due to the speed limit of the roads.

Member Discussion – Key Points

1.   Landfill tax was not an option that was open to the committee to use for funding.

2.   Part of the route, which is located in Woking is on a list of schemes to be considered for funding from the Government as part of a Sustainable Transport Package. There is support for the route although particular sections will require additional land in order to widen the footpath.

3.   The members of the committee saw the benefits of such a route but due to the current financial position for now and the foreseeable future it is not currently an option but should developer or any other funding become available then this would be of benefit to the community.

4.   Mike Goodman therefore proposed, seconded by Bill Chapman that the first part of the recommendation be amended to say “To progress with work on the pedestrian and cycle facility when funds become available to do so”.

Resolution:

The Surrey Heath Local Committee agreed:

i)          To progress with work on the pedestrian and cycle facility when funds became available to do so.

ii)         That part of the existing footway will have maintenance work carried out to restore the original width.

The above decision was made because although the provision of a continuous route for pedestrians and cyclists between Chobham and Woking would be ideal, the financial and physical constraints do not currently make this route possible.