Guildford’s Cycling MP Suggests Some Short Term Improvements For Local Cyclists

Published on: 23 Aug, 2015
Updated on: 27 Aug, 2015

Anne Milton with Mark Brett-Warburton and the plans for improved cycle routes in Guildford

Guildford’s MP Anne Milton has met up with Surrey County Council (SCC) officers and county councillor Mark Brett-Warburton (Con, Guildford South-East) to highlight some of the challenges faced by cyclists in Guildford.

Ms Milton wanted to raise some of the issues that she feels deter people from taking up cycling. The SCC officers gave a run down of the cycling plans in the pipeline and took away some suggested improvements that could be made in the shorter term.

Anne Milton, here pictured with her bike on the Town Bridge, is a regular cyclist in Guildford.

Anne, who regularly cycles through Guildford to the railway station, on her way to parliament, said: “The state of some of the cycle lanes is pretty poor and so it was a chance to highlight to Surrey County Council how reporting mechanisms could be improved for cyclists, in particular when there has been deterioration of the road surface.

“This can have a serious impact not just on the comfort of the ride on a bike, but it can also cause serious safety issues. I was pleased to get the chance to talk this through and also show some examples of specific problems that cyclists face.

“It was also good to hear about the big plans for improving cycling in Guildford. However as these can take some time, I am very pleased that Surrey are willing to consider suggestions for smaller, cost effective solutions that can be brought in sooner.

“For example a relatively cheap and safe route from North Street to the station without going round the gyratory system could be looked at.’

Cllr Brett-Warburton added: “It was very helpful to discuss the issues faced by cyclists in Guildford with Anne. As a regular cyclist, she provides a good insight into the day-to-day needs of cyclists and the improvements that can help them, as well as seeing the benefit of the more strategic work being undertaken to improve cycling in Guildford.”

Anne Milton concluded: “I was very grateful to everyone for their time and I look forward to seeing some of the changes. What we want is more people feeling safe to get on their bikes.”

Responses to Guildford’s Cycling MP Suggests Some Short Term Improvements For Local Cyclists

Bibhas Neogi Reply

August 23, 2015 at 4:22 pm

I would like to draw readers’ attention to my website that includes a suggested route from the North Street to the railway station. The website (search for ‘revamp guildford gyratory’) has been in the public domain since 2010.

Please see the sketch here.

There are other sketches in the same album that show the cycle route from the station to the town centre and modifications to pedestrian crossings that are required to accommodate cycle crossings in Portsmouth Road, Farnham Road, Walnut Tree Close and Onslow Street.
Jim Allen Reply

August 24, 2015 at 9:08 am

Its a shame that the examiner for the Burpham Neighbourhood plan does not think a bike storage are for each bedroom of a new home is a good idea.

Clay Lane is a case in point of failure to maintain joint cycle/footpaths paths they should be on the yearly schedule for clearance / trimming but every year someone has to contact Surrey County Council and ask them to clear the vegetation so that walkers and cyclist are given minimum consideration in the realms of travel.
Tim Harper Reply

August 28, 2015 at 12:37 pm

I believe improvements need to be made for movements between the town centre and Stoughton/Bellfields.

The “pedestrian” bridge over the A3/A25 alongside the railway bridge has been little improved since the A3 was built more than 30 years ago.

At the very minimum, the existing pedestrian bridge needs to be widened. However, I favour building a complementary shared-use bridge over the A3 and A25 to the east of the railway, connected to Weyside Drive and giving much better access to Bellfields and Slyfield/Woking beyond.