First Stage of Traffic Improvements Given the Green Light

Published on: 10 Feb, 2019
Updated on: 13 Feb, 2019

Cllr Matt Furniss on the new pedestrian and cycle path at Bannisters Field by Tesco. One of the improvements in the council’s programme.

The first stage of improvements to make it easier for traffic to get around Guildford has been given the go-ahead.

The council Executive has approved the first phase of the Guildford Sustainable Movement Corridor (SMC) project to make road-junction improvements and deliver enhanced pedestrian and cycle routes, plus a community bike-share scheme.

Cllr Matt Furniss (Con, Christchurch), deputy leader and lead councillor for infrastructure and governance, said: “These improvements should help solve transport issues and address local “hotspots” to make it easier for people to travel around our borough. We’re working towards a future transport system which will be greener, safer and more reliable.”

The SMC project has been endorsed by the Enterprise M3 LEP Strategic Economic Plan covering a package of expansions to improve the routes between Surrey Research Park, Royal Surrey County Hospital and Guildford’s mainline train station.

Key areas of improvement for SMC phase one are:

• A pedestrian and cycle path created across Bannister’s Field;
• Pedestrian and cyclist improvements from Guildford station to Royal Surrey County Hospital; and
• Widening the road at Tesco roundabout and improving signalling at Egerton crossroads.

The total estimated cost for all of phase one is £9.895 million, with the initial part costing approximately £3.85 million. The EM3 LEP grant is £2.725 million and the borough council is contributing £1.125 million. Work starts this financial year, with completion due for this first phase in spring 2021.

The proposed community bike scheme, similar to London’s, is intended to link with the University of Surrey’s own imminent new bike-share scheme. Targeted consultation and engagement with cycle groups and other interested parties start soon.

The scheme would be rolled out in stages extending from the town centre, with docking stations at key destinations across the town. Depending on possible external grant funding, the community bike-share scheme could include 100% electric cycles.

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