Agenda item

The Godalming Cycle Campaign (GCC) in partnership with the Guildford Bicycle Users Group (G-Bug) have developed plans for a ‘greenway ’along the River Wey corridor.  The spine of the route will run between Guildford town centre and Godalming but it also includes an extension to Milford and links to other key destinations along it.

The route is suitable for all ages and abilities so it would be safe, quiet and away from busy roads.  It will be inclusive for others such as wheelchair users and parents with pushchairs.  It would make many local journeys more attractive for walking and cycling.

The Local Committee (Guildford) agreed that:

(i)            The Guildford-Godalming Greenway route (as detailed in Annex B of the report) is adopted into the Guildford Cycle Plan.

Reasons:

The Guildford-Godalming Greenway Proposal is a detailed and well-considered report.  It has been produced by local residents who regularly travel along the corridor and has involved all the relevant local cycle groups.

The Surrey Cycling Strategy (2014-2026) invites local involvement to the local cycle plans and the aims of the Guildford-Godalming Greenway supports the objectives of the strategy.

Many of the sections identified for improvement have already been noted under the cycle plans for Guildford and Waverley.  The proposal ties them all together under a strategic route which can be implemented in sections as and when opportunities are available.

The vision is to provide a route that a wide variety of users could comfortably share including pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users, and parents with pushchairs.  By providing attractive alternatives to driving all will benefit from reduced pollution and congestion and walking and cycling provides many health benefits to the individual.

Declarations of Interest: None

Officers attending: Transport Planner: Cycling

Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: None

The Godalming Cycle Campaign (GCC) in partnership with the Guildford Bicycle Users Group (G-Bug) had developed plans for a ‘greenway’ along the River Wey corridor.

The route would be suitable for all ages and abilities so would be safe, quiet and away from busy roads.  It would be inclusive for others such as wheelchair users and parents with pushchairs.  It would make many local journeys more attractive for walking and cycling.

The officer updated members that Guildford Borough Council has commissioned some design and costing works for Dagley Lane, Shalford part of the Greenway which is currently a muddy track and they should receive these designs in the summer.

Member Discussion - Key points:

Members asked if consideration had been given to lighting for the route so that it was safe in the winter; this would need to be sympathetic to the local area.  The officer informed members that there are suitable products on the market that could be used.

There were concerns that the Greenway could raise public expectations and that the implementation of it could get forgotten about.  The officer explained that they were looking at the route in sections and funding was likely to come from S106/Community Infrastructure levy funds when developments were agreed in the right areas.  Members commented that if the route was agreed and available then there would be more likelihood of it receiving funding when opportunities arose.  Councillor Furniss informed the meeting that Guildford Borough Council are forward funding the Dagley Lane section and that the Greenway fitted in with the Guildford Transport Strategy.

Members stated that the route into Guildford town centre needed to be got right to get it away from the road.  Members asked what sort of surface would be used for the Greenway, the officer responded that it would be a good quality sealed surface so that members of the public wouldn’t need an off road bike to use it.  Members commented that they would like to see other Greenways in Guildford and the surrounding area.

The officer updated Members that she had met with the Transport Development Team, Highways and the Countryside team to make them aware of the Greenway so further work can be done to the route when they become aware of funding opportunities.  She also commented that the cycling groups would also continue to pursue the implementation of the Greenway.

G-Bug members thanked Members.

Resolutions:

The Local Committee (Guildford) agreed that:

(i)            The Guildford-Godalming Greenway route (as detailed in Annex B of the report) is adopted into the Guildford Cycle Plan.

Reasons:

The Guildford-Godalming Greenway Proposal is a detailed and well-considered report.  It has been produced by local residents who regularly travel along the corridor and has involved all the relevant local cycle groups.

The Surrey Cycling Strategy (2014-2026) invites local involvement to the local cycle plans and the aims of the Guildford-Godalming Greenway supports the objectives of the strategy.

Many of the sections identified for improvement have already been noted under the cycle plans for Guildford and Waverley.  The proposal ties them all together under a strategic route which can be implemented in sections as and when opportunities are available.

The vision is to provide a route that a wide variety of users could comfortably share including pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users, and parents with pushchairs.  By providing attractive alternatives to driving all will benefit from reduced pollution and congestion and walking and cycling provides many health benefits to the individual.