Basingstoke Canal Improvements

Woking Cycle Users’ Group

Basingstoke Canal Improvements –

LATEST NEWS:

The Project Group met again on 1 July. Work is now well advanced with the foundation layer of surfacing having been put down for the whole length from Kiln Bridge at St. John’s to Monument Bridge. Unfortunately there will be a delay in getting the top surface done. This may not now start until mid August. With the hard top layer the finished path will be a great improvement for cyclists. Until then we shall have to be content with a rather rough and loose surface. For up to date information have a look at the Basingstoke Canal Authority website which will be updated frequently as the work proceeds. The sections of towpath being worked on will be closed (usually between two bridges) but will be open both evenings and weekends.

One of the priorities in spending the money awarded for Woking’s success in becoming a Cycle Demonstration Town will be to complete the planned surfacing of the canal from Pirbright to the Wey Navigation. This should mean that this work is completed much more quickly than would otherwise have been the case.

In its present unimproved state the towpath of the canal makes a useful and pleasant leisure cycling route and a green corridor into the town of Woking. Sections of the towpath can be very muddy and slippery in the winter and junctions with roads crossing the canal are not always obvious.

The good news is that Sustrans are leading a project to improve the canal towpath from Pirbright Bridge west of Brookwood as far as the junction where the canal joins the Wey Navigation near Byfleet. Once the towpath has been surfaced and improved the route will be adopted and signposted as part of the National Cycle Network. This work is being organised by a small group of people from Sustrans, The Basingstoke Canal Authority, Surrey County Council, Woking Borough Council and I’m pleased to say that Woking Cycle Users’ Group is also part of the group.

The work on the towpath has now begun and Phase 1 will cover the section from Kiln Bridge to Monument Road, being the central section through the town. The new surface on the 2m wide path will consist of what is called ‘Tar and Chip’ which is a bound (not loose gravel) surface which looks more natural than tarmac, but lasts nearly as long. We are still discussing issues like lighting and seating along the route, but it is certain that care will be taken to signpost the route and the links to it. There will be small improvements to the footpath and bridleway links close to where they join the towpath.

Once Phase 1 is complete, we shall be looking for funding to complete the rest of the route from Pirbright and this may include a new bridge over the canal at Hermitage flash, west of St. John’s.

This is an exciting project and should considerably improve conditions for cyclists and for all users of the towpath and the Cycle Users’ Group is pleased to be involved.

There has been a certain amount of opposition to the improvement of the towpath from local residents both on the grounds that this will “civilise” a bit of wilderness close to the town, but also because of the fear that cyclists will then travel too fast and this might be dangerous for pedestrians. It will be important, once the new towpath is complete, for cyclists to exercise the sort of consideration for pedestrians that will make the towpath a pleasant facility for everyone to use. Cyclists and pedestrians have successfully shared canal towpaths elsewhere in the country and there is no reason to think that it cannot happen in Woking.

If you would like to know more about this project have a look at the Basingstoke Canal Authority website and go to News and then Towpath Information where you will also be able to download more detailed information. The planning application to Woking Borough Council may also be of interest. You can find this at Woking Council Planning Website . Put the application reference “PLAN/2007/1309” in the box for Application Case Reference. Finally the results of the recent public consultation on the project are now on this site here (note that this is a Word document).

If you have views about this project please feel free to contact our representative on the group, Ian Wright at iankwright@hotmail.com