Agenda item

To inform the committee of the proposed improvements to cycle infrastructure in Leatherhead and Ashtead under the Department for Transport scheme.

The Local Committee AGREED to:

       i.        Approve the cycle scheme proposals for Leatherhead Town Centre, subject to the outcome of the funding bid

      ii.        Approve the cycle scheme proposals for Epsom Road and Leatherhead Road between Leatherhead and Ashtead, subject to the outcome of the funding bid

SUBJECT to the additional recommendation below.

The Local Committee AGREED to ADD an additional recommendation of:

      i.        Should the bid be successful, detailed design will proceed and residents, businesses, the Mole Valley Cycle Forum, Chairman of the Mole Valley Local Committee, Vice-Chairman of Mole Valley Local Committee and the divisional member directly affected by the proposals will be consulted, to inform the design prior to construction.  If required the design will come to the Mole Valley Local Committee for approval prior to construction.

Reason for Decision

The local committee felt that the proposals for Leatherhead Town Centre would be a positive contribution to the local area; however the committee felt that prior to construction of the Epsom Road and Leatherhead Road routes further consultation was required with local residents and members.  Depending on the outcome of the consultation the Epsom Road and Leatherhead Road scheme may need to come back to the local committee for approval prior to construction.  This will be decided by the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and divisional member. 

The Road Safety Manager introduced the plans which had been submitted to the Department for Transport to provide high quality cycling schemes in Surrey.  The proposed schemes are felt to improve the safety for all cyclists.  At present we do not know if we have been successful, however we hope to be notified shortly.

The divisional member for Leatherhead and Fetcham East expressed support for the Leatherhead Town Centre scheme, however was concerned about some of the aspects of the Leatherhead to Ashtead route and whether a shared footpath and cycleway would be feasible due to pavement width.  It was also highlighted that this would pass several sheltered housing schemes and the proposed route would impact on their residents.   

Mole Valley Cycle Forum expressed concerns with regards to the Leatherhead to Ashtead route as there are currently many obstructions on the road and previous attempts to introduce cycling routes had not succeeded.  The Forum asked if due consideration had been given to the Linden Pitt Path route.

The divisional member for Ashtead also expressed concerns with regards to the Leatherhead to Ashtead cycle route due to the proposed crossing on the A24, however it was acknoweledge this would be a more appropriate solution than the Linden Pitt Path route due to the expense this would incur. 

The Road Safety Manager acknowledge concerns over the width of pavement and impact on residents’ of the sheltered housing schemes and reassured the committee that it would be fully segregated path instead of a joint path as in previous schemes.  Where there are existing obstacles, these will be relocated to allow a clear route.  The routes proposed in the bid were the routes which best fit the DfT criteria, other routes were looked at in the initial scoping phases.

Councillors felt that given some of the questions raised the committee it would not be appropriate to approve the schemes today, however they were aware that postponing until future meetings could pose problems due to the delay to timescales.  The Chairman of the committee suggested that if required a special meeting could be convened to agree the plans. 

The member for Leatherhead and Fetcham East proposed the addition of a recommendation to ensure consultation with local residents, businesses, the Mole Valley Cycle Forum and Local Committee.  This was seconded by the member for Dorking and the Holmwoods. 

The Local Committee AGREED to:

       i.        Approve the cycle scheme proposals for Leatherhead Town Centre, subject to the outcome of the funding bid

      ii.        Approve the cycle scheme proposals for Epsom Road and Leatherhead Road between Leatherhead and Ashtead, subject to the outcome of the funding bid

SUBJECT to the additional recommendation below.

The Local Committee AGREED to ADD an additional recommendation of:

      i.        Should the bid be successful, detailed design will proceed and residents, businesses, the Mole Valley Cycle Forum, Chairman of the Mole Valley Local Committee, Vice-Chairman of Mole Valley Local Committee and the divisional member directly affected by the proposals will be consulted, to inform the design prior to construction.  If required the design will come to the Mole Valley Local Committee for approval prior to construction.

Reason for Decision

The local committee felt that the proposals for Leatherhead Town Centre would be a positive contribution to the local area; however the committee felt that prior to construction of the Epsom Road and Leatherhead Road routes further consultation was required with local residents and members.  Depending on the outcome of the consultation the Epsom Road and Leatherhead Road scheme may need to come back to the local committee for approval prior to construction.  This will be decided by the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and divisional member.