Active travel scheme scrapped over safety concerns

The proposed scheme raised concerns over cyclists and pedestrians sharing narrow routes

A £6m active travel scheme that would have helped Surrey hit net zero targets in Guildford has been rejected over concerns that cyclists would endanger pedestrian safety.

A new cycling and shared pedestrian scheme along London Road in Burpham had been recommended for approval and was backed by the county’s most senior highways and environment members.

Surrey County Council applied for funding from Active Travel England to create segregated footways and cycleways.

But the scheme has been thrown out on safety grounds with opponents saying the narrow routes would put cyclists in conflict with pedestrians, and leave little space for heavy goods vehicles.

It had the backing of Guildford MP Zoe Franklin and various ward councillors such as George Potter, who argued the project, although not perfect, was a considerable improvement on the present layout, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The politicians said the currently unsafe road and pathways put people off walking and cycling – causing greater congestion along the main route in and out of Guildford town centre.

Others disagreed and said the scheme would have put pedestrians and cyclists into direct conflict with each other, put vulnerable people off using public transport, and – at its narrowest section – created tight pinch points.

Ultimately the objectors won with Surrey County Council leader Tim Oliver saying a line had now been drawn under the matter, which had been two years in the planning.

Yasmin Broome, on behalf of the Surrey Coalition of Disabled People, told the council cyclists continued to travel too fast and chaotically along London Road.

She said: “Please keep our disabled community safe and stop these proposals.”