GBC Committee to Hear Examples of ‘Modal Shift’ Solutions

Published on: 9 Sep, 2018
Updated on: 9 Sep, 2018

Guildford traffic

“Modal shift”, the desired move away from use of private cars to other forms of transport such as public transport, cycling and walking, is to be the sole subject of a Guildford Borough Council (GBC) meeting, open to the public, on Tuesday (September 11, 2018).

The “shift” is seen as critical to allow the planned development within Guildford Borough and to improve the current problem of traffic congestion in the town.

The council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting will be examining what can be done to change travel behaviour through more economically beneficial and environmentally sustainable approaches.

Cllr Caroline Reeves

Caroline Reeves (Lib Dem, Friary & St Nicolas), chair of the committee, whose ward is one of those most affected by traffic congestion, said: “The meeting will investigate efforts to encourage sustainable transport in the borough and scrutinise the measures and actions either already underway or proposed to achieve modal shift. Crucially, the committee will gather evidence to identify what additional initiatives Guildford should be exploring.”

To help its review, the committee has invited a transport planning expert to advise the meeting. Dr Steve Melia from the University of the West of England (UWE) is an expert who has advised government departments on how to achieve more sustainable transport and helped with the transport planning of the London 2012 Olympic Park.

Dr Melia is author of Urban Transport Without the Hot Air: Sustainable Solutions for UK cities. His presentation and discussion will show how other towns and cities are achieving modal shift and what Guildford should learn from these examples. Along the way, the meeting will bust some common myths about transport and evaluate the various barriers and solutions proposed to deliver Modal Shift.

The meeting starts at 7pm in the council chamber at Millmead. Like all of the council’s committees, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meets in public and is webcast online. You can find out more about how to participate in these meetings through GBC’s public participation page.

Responses to GBC Committee to Hear Examples of ‘Modal Shift’ Solutions

Jim Allen Reply

September 9, 2018 at 10:07 am

It will be interesting to know how overcrowded trains, expensive empty buses that don’t go to the train station, or where people actually want to go, and distances to work too far to cycle for the average man, will improve modal shift.

Perhaps removal of underused bus lanes, free flow junctions, more slip roads in the right places and more road capacity – which does not feed more traffic into the system at the wrong places, might just be considered as a way to reduce congestion and air pollution. Trying to force modal shift is only increasing air pollution if traffic flow is impeded.

It would also be extremely useful if SCC accepted there is a problem in Guildford. Currently, SCC Highways’ comments are less than helpful when planning applications appear.
Adam Aaronson Reply

September 9, 2018 at 12:12 pm

Congestion is a very serious issue and it is fitting that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee considers that it needs to be addressed seriously.

How strange, therefore, that the Committee has chosen not to call in and review the planning inspector’s decision to modify the Local Plan, which is also likely to affect congestion adversely.

This decision appears to have been made unilaterally by the chair, who in the Dragon article: Requirement to Accept 20% of Woking’s Housing Need is ‘Atrocious’ Says Councillor, is quoted as saying: “Calling it in would just delay it, which is not helpful if nothing can be changed.”

I think the committee should have had the opportunity to discuss this important decision, if only to enable the option of minuting its dissent, should the members so wish. Some things do need to be on the record.
- Caroline Reeves Reply
  
  September 10, 2018 at 12:12 pm
  
  The council leader explained quite clearly at the start of the Special Executive meeting that the Draft Local Plan now belongs to the Planning Inspector and the opportunity to comment and suggest amendments is through the consultation.
  
  The comments made in the consultation go to the inspector who then makes amendments which come back to full council for councillors to agree or disagree.
  
  That is why I commented that there seems to be little democracy in local planning. Our only chance is at the end when we can accept or refuse the government inspector’s final plan. We are told there will be recriminations if we don’t accept it but not what those will be.
Bernard Parke Reply

September 9, 2018 at 12:51 pm

Has any thought been given to the problem of heavy through traffic which is a major problem in central Guildford ?
Steve Veritas Reply

September 10, 2018 at 11:36 am

Smoke and mirrors. The council can’t actually reduce the use of cars as they need the parking income. If you have a job in Guildford that starts before 6am, you can’t get a bus from most areas. They say they’ll promote Park & Ride but where can you get the capacity of multi-stories outside town?
Lisa Wright Reply

September 10, 2018 at 11:56 am

When you insist on all development being miles away from the town centre any form of modal shift is very unlikely.
Valerie Thompson Reply

September 10, 2018 at 1:11 pm

It’s not just the HGVs which are travelling through the town but anyone, from any direction, whose work is on the opposite side of Guildford. Such people cannot take a series of buses, for instance from Worplesdon to Godalming or Horsham, or cycle long distances in all weather.

Effective Park & Ride schemes are excellent for those just coming into town to shop but these are not timed or designed for commuters or late-night shoppers. Merrow closes at 7pm.

In order to lessen pollution, traffic has to flow smoothly. As Mr Allen says, there are too many under-used bus lanes, but also badly timed traffic-lights and too many long-phased pedestrian crossings result in idling engines.
Martin Elliott Reply

September 10, 2018 at 10:28 pm

Some sensible statements above on the practicalities of personal transport, for a normal lifestyle, for people travelling into or through Guildford to work or shop.

Unfortunately, what people have to do seems to have no link to GBC local planning for the town centre and environs. They are committed to reducing town centre traffic by 40-50%. “Give the town centre back to pedestrians.”

It doesn’t matter that this has no match to the desires and needs of residents.

So as there is no allowed debate on the target, of course, a presentation to the Overview & Scrutiny Committee on modal shift is absolutely valid to councillors, and residents needs are damned.
Penny Panman Reply

September 13, 2018 at 2:01 pm

Thinking outside the box. How about using the brownfield sites within Guildford for flats and bedsits without parking provision but with decent, secure bicycle storage? They could provide town centre homes for the essential workers who keep Guildford running, and they would not add to the rush hour traffic jams around the town.
- C Morrison Reply
  
  September 13, 2018 at 10:52 pm
  
  Ok, so the essential people who staff our schools, hospitals and other essential services should all live in flats and bedsits without a car. You may as well say keep the working class out of the suburbs! Is this 2018 or the 1930s? I am shocked at such snobbery.
Caroline Reeves Reply

September 13, 2018 at 11:06 pm

That is exactly what is currently happening on a number of housing sites in Holy Trinity and Friary & St Nicolas wards, including the secure bike storage and car club cars.

Caroline Reeves is the Lib Dem leader of the opposition and borough councillor for Friary & St Nicolas