Letter: Is A ‘Super Cycle Highway’ As Important as Beechcroft Drive Safety?

Published on: 25 Jan, 2019
Updated on: 25 Jan, 2019

From Bernard Parke

hon alderman and former Mayor of Guildford

It is rather sad to think that money can be found for what could be called a “super cycle highway”, traversing one of the few recreation grounds we have left at Bannisters Field next to the Tesco store, but money cannot be found to provide a safety measure for the people entering and leaving Beechcroft Drive [see: No Agreement on Solution for Beechcroft Drive ‘Deadly Junction’].

The new “Cycle Super-Highway” at Bannisters Field by Tesco

This problem has now been with us now for several decades.

Let us hope this will not be allowed to go on for several more years.

Responses to Letter: Is A ‘Super Cycle Highway’ As Important as Beechcroft Drive Safety?

Martin Elliott Reply

January 25, 2019 at 12:25 pm

As I’m sure Bernard Parke is aware, residents living in private unadopted roads receive no highway services. Maintenance and improvements are the resident’s responsibility.

I understand the university has offered an access route so the residents just need to raise the necessary finance. Didn’t they get an estimate?

Whilst serious, the situation and responsibilities are no different from other private/unadopted roads across the county.
Bernard Parke Reply

January 25, 2019 at 3:02 pm

Interesting comments but there is of course an existing cycle track running next to Bannisters Recreation ground not across it.
Martin Elliott Reply

January 26, 2019 at 12:53 pm

Bernard Parke is comparing oranges and bananas.

The SMC (West) proposals (inc Bannister Path) and the reasons behind them were subject to public display and consultation. The Bannister Cycle Path is, I believe, to relieve congestion and conflict at the busy bus stop.

It’s being funded by grants and the councils as their highways responsibility.

Again, Beechcroft is a Private Road and the residents, not the council’s responsibility to fund improvements if they consider it unsafe.

The alternative is, I think, maybe an arrangement as part of a HE-SE A3 improvement. Up at the M25/A3 improvements, several moved and even new access roads have been proposed. Nevertheless, as always, residents complain about free improvements.
Chris Ogle Reply

January 27, 2019 at 7:13 pm

Absolutely agree with the fundamental point that is a waste of money (speaking as a cyclist) when there is already a good cycle path running alongside.

“Super Cycle Highway.” Do me a favour! This is a repeat of the phenomenal waste of money to widen the cycle path running alongside Stoke Park when there are so many other improvements that could be made to make the roads safer for cyclists.