Boost for Walking and Cycling in Surrey

Published on: 26 May, 2023
Updated on: 28 May, 2023

Surrey County Council has been awarded £997,843 to deliver improved facilities for walking and cycling throughout the county.

The investment will see more cycle and walking routes being created across the county and the development of “Liveable neighbourhoods”, areas that are improved to be more “people-centred” with infrastructure and schemes such as 20mph zones that make it easier and safer to walk and cycle.

Cllr Matt Furniss, SCC Cabinet Member for Transport, Infrastructure and Growth said: “We’re delighted that the government is continuing to support Surrey’s plans for walking and cycling improvements by awarding us more funding so we can continue to transform how residents and visitors travel around our county and give them the confidence to walk and cycle safely.

Cllr Matt Furniss

“With 41 per cent of Surrey’s carbon emissions coming from transport, choosing to travel more sustainably will also mean we can all play our part to become a net zero county by 2050.

“This funding will complement a range of other schemes we’ve already implemented to improve walking and cycling facilities across Surrey.

“These include active travel schemes on the A23 in Redhill and Park Road in Stanwell, local cycling and walking plans in Woking, Reigate and Banstead, Spelthorne, Runnymede, Elmbridge, Mole Valley and Waverley, as well as a £50m investment to improve bus services and help grow user numbers.”

Surrey County Council was awarded the funding from the Department of Transport’s Active Travel Fund (ATF4) which helps councils to develop better designed walking and cycling schemes.

For more details about active travel in Surrey see www.surreycc.gov.uk/activejourneys

Other parties in Guildford were invited to comment.

Responses to Boost for Walking and Cycling in Surrey

Howard Fisher Reply

May 26, 2023 at 10:55 pm

More “initiatives” from a county council administration that can’t complete the work that’s outstanding.

Despite now being more than a year later than originally promised, the so-called funded final part of the improvement to the cycleway from Shalford to Guildford still shows no sign of commencing, despite repeated promises from Cllr Furniss (Con, Shalford).

And we’re well past the three-year point of restoring the towpath into Guildford from St Catherines after the Tumbling Weir collapse (which I’m sure the borough council will declare is not its responsibility).
Jack Taylor Reply

May 27, 2023 at 10:29 am

A mere pittance that will be swallowed up on consultation fees and other nonsense, making diddly squat actual difference – as always with SCC sustainable travel. Just depressing.
Tim May Reply

June 1, 2023 at 9:12 am

Nearly a million pounds for improved cycling routes yet in same edition article appears about Guildford residents living in poverty and trapped in debt.

Priorities all wrong.
- Vat Smith Reply
  
  June 2, 2023 at 10:29 am
  
  On the contrary, better cycling infrastructure makes it easier for those who can’t afford a car or public transport to use the cheaper alternative of a bike to get to work, go shopping or to exercise. Good for them and good for Guildford’s environment.