Woking Cycle Users' Group

Sunday Bike Rides for 2012
The dates for our popular Sunday afternoon bike rides have now been added to our website, on the local rides page.

'The Times' Campaign to improve safety for cyclists

Starting with its editition on Thursday 2 February, the Times has been running a campaign to improve safety for cyclists. Have a look at The Times website and sign up to support their campaign.

The Bedser Bridge – foot/cycle bridge to Brewery Road Car Park

The very good news is that Woking Borough Council have responded to the criticism of the new bridge design and the proposal now is to build a bridge at the same height as the existing one. Thank you to everyone who supported our campaign and it is wonderful that we have been successful in getting the design changed. The details of the new design are to be found on the Woking Borough Council website.

Background
People will be aware that WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) are to build a new headquarters building on stilts above the Brewery Road Car Park. To access the building from the town and to replace the existing wooden bridge over the Basingstoke Canal it is proposed to build a new bridge which is to be named after local cricketing heroes, the Bedser Twins. All of this is fine, but the new bridge was originally planned to be built around 5 feet higher than the existing bridge. This was so that people can access the new building on the same level as the bridge but also meant that everyone crossing the bridge to reach the car park would have to climb an extra 9 steps up and down every time or to walk an extra 100 feet along ramps on each side.

We challenged this design which it seemed to us would inconvenience thousands of users of the bridge for many years to come. A petition brought nearly 1900 signatures and now the Council have decided to cave in to pressure and to build the bridge at a lower level. We are absolutely delighted that common sense has prevailed.

Victoria Way Crossing

This refers to the pedestrian and cycle crossing from the above bridge and therefore from Brewery Road Car Park over Victoria Way to the town by the Council Offices and Gloucester Walk. Though there were plans, partially implemented, to install a cycle crossing next to the existing pedestrian crossing, the changed proposals now favour a "Toucan" crossing for shared use by pedestrians and cyclists. The present plan has a 'dog-leg' on the centre island which we believe will cause conflict between pedestrians and cyclists. We have made representations about this. You may like to add your own thoughts. If you wish to make representations about the proposal you must send them in writing, stating the grounds on which they are made, to Surrey CC by 24 February 2012 quoting reference 4304/WOK/AK. The plans are available at Woking Borough Council offices or you may e mail iankwright@hotmail.com for a copy. It doesn't seem to be available online.

Representations need to be addressed to Mr J. Russell at the following address:

TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDERS TEAM,
HAZEL HOUSE,
MERROW LANE,
GUILDFORD,
GU4 7BQ.

Email: parking@surreycc.gov.uk

Shared Use in the Town Centre

For background please read the general information on the separate section of our website.

The Local Committee of Surrey County Council has decided to restrict cycling on the shared use routes so that cycling would be permitted only outside the hours of 10 am to 4 pm. That restriction will be introduced very soon. We have fought a long battle against this restriction and recently have received a pretty clear assurance from John Kingsbury, chair of the Local Committee, that, following improvements to Commercial Way, the restriction would be reviewed and would expect to reintroduce unrestricted shared use along that route. You may be sure that we shall hold the Local Committee to this promise.

We will try to keep you informed when the peak time cycling ban is introduced. At present you are permitted to cycle through the town centre on all the routes mentioned above. Note that Church Path and Mercia Walk are and always have been no cycling routes.

Brussels advises lower limits

The European Parliament has accepted a report recommending a range of new road safety measures including 30 km/h speed limits on streets without cycle lanes (good) - and the increased promotion of cycle helmets and hi-visibility clothing for cyclists (not so good).

It has also requested that the European Commission drafts a timetable to mandate the use of Intelligent Speed Adaptation which in its severest form forces drivers to comply with speed limits. The European Cyclists' Federation, of which CTC is a member, said the news on lower speed limits was "good for the bicycle world".

now represents the European Parliament’s position on road safety although the resolution as it currently stands is not legally binding. Photo by freefotouk on Flickr.