Letter: Some Facts on the London Road Scheme

Published on: 14 Aug, 2023
Updated on: 14 Aug, 2023

From: Derek Payne

In response to: Opinion -Most Arguments Against London Road Improvements Are Nonsense

In response to Sam Peters’ comments, a few facts…

19,000 motor vehicles per day travel along the London Road – 260 cycle journeys are made each day.

Government statistics show, at best, an increase of 50 per cent in cycling uptake, so an extra 130 cycle journeys (maybe). Hence the Green argument doesn’t seem to work.

Regarding the government’s Active Travel principles, section 1.5.2 states that networks and routes should be Coherent; Direct; Safe; Comfortable and Attractive. Bowers Lane to Spectrum meets four criteria. London Road, at best, meets two, but Surrey County Council will not consider that route.

There are a significant number of cycle routes around Stoke Park in all directions.

Tim Oliver (SCC leader) is on record as stating that if there are “overwhelming objections” to the scheme, then it will not go ahead.

SCC have refused to quantify “overwhelming objections”, instead merely stating that SCC will make the final decision.

All of that said, the county council has yet to publish a new plan of what London Road will look like after implementation (eg measurements, pinch-points; cycle/pedestrian cross-overs and shared spaces), and there is a modelling meeting taking place in September, so we need to await the outputs before commenting further.

Responses to Letter: Some Facts on the London Road Scheme

Roger Carnegie Reply

August 14, 2023 at 2:58 pm

The very first fact stated is incorrect*, the rest of the letter is the author’s opinion.

I would hope Mr Payne waits for the details to be published and scrutinised before he states more facts on this issue.

*2022 shows 15,000 vehicles (all types, including bicycles).
Derek Payne Reply

August 14, 2023 at 10:43 pm

I note Mr Carnegie gets into a number of “conversations” on this topic.

Maybe he should consult with his G-BUG rep who, like me, attends the STRG [Sustainable Travel Reference Group] meetings with SCC.

I have the minutes and related emails to confirm that my facts are indeed facts and not my opinions.

Indeed SCC leader Tim Oliver was at the last STRG Meeting on 26th July, where some of these points were discussed and minuted.
Derek Payne Reply

August 30, 2023 at 11:51 am

Just to clarify, I have an email from DfT showing stats for 2022 daily vehicle usage along the A3100 as: 274 cycles and 19,103 motor vehicles.

I’m not looking to debate the numbers – merely state what has been sent to me from what I hope is a reliable source.