You may have read all the newspaper stories recently, but here’s your chance to have your say!
Keep the island…..
Shared space consultation Woking Town Centre
Cycling in Woking has got all political.
We need your help.
We’re hoping that you will agree that the permission to cycle through town now is of great advantage to cyclists. As you might have read in the local paper, there is a real concern that this permission will be revoked. I have copied an e-mail I have received regarding this situation and I am hoping you will all take the time to fill in the form to support the continuation of the sharing of the space
http://www.cyclewoking.org.uk/aboutus/news?item=00004CC53820.C0A801BA.00004300.0013
“NICE (AND OLDER) CYCLISTS WANTED
SAT 20 NOVEMBER 10am outside the Woking Borough Council Offices
The Woking News and Mail are keen to do a photo this Saturday at 10am to give the cyclist perspective on recent articles against shared used in the town centre. We urgently need a good turn out of older cyclists, women, children and anybody that doesn’t look like they would run over a defenceless blind or old person.
The most recent article on this is here.
http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2081753_safety_fears_over_next_shared_cycle_route
Do you expect a blind person to get out of your way? Do you cycle through town at 20 mph? This is what Councillors are being told.
Turn up and defend your reputation as a polite and considerate cyclist.
Stand up for older, younger and less confident cyclists.
Bring your friends, neighbours, anybody who cycles or would like to cycle.
This is not just about the Town Centre.
These allegations will affect any future investment in cycling infrastructure in Woking and waste money that could be spent saving lives and reducing real injuries.
If you cannot attend please respond to the consultation (see link below) and write to your Councillor. You might want to highlight the real dangers posed by speeding motorists.
http://www.cyclewoking.org.uk/aboutus/news?item=00004CC53820.C0A801BA.00004300.0013
Keep calm, keep pedalling, but do something!!!
Filed under Uncategorized
Hermitage Bridge Cycle/Ped Bridge Consultation
This is blatantly borrowed from the Cycle Woking website here http://www.cyclewoking.org.uk/aboutus/news?item=00004C89EDD7.C0A801BA.000075A4.0006
“Woking residents will have an opportunity to comment on plans for a new cycle and pedestrian bridge over the Basingstoke Canal, adjacent to Hermitage Bridge on Tuesday 21 September 2010, when a special open afternoon is hosted at Brookwood Country Park Pavilion.
From 2pm until 7pm, local people who are keen to see what the new structure will look like and how it will be accessed, will be able to view plans and talk to representatives from the Cycle Woking Partnership.
The new bridge, which will be constructed alongside the existing Hermitage Road Bridge, will be funded by Cycle Woking to strengthen the existing cycle network but also provide a safe crossing point for pedestrians.
Speaking about the initiative, Paul Fishwick, Cycle Woking’s Programme Manager, said: “We are very excited about this latest development to Woking Borough’s cycling infrastructure – it has been in the plan for over eighteen months and we are looking forward to making it a reality. This new bridge will enable both pedestrians and cyclists to cross the Basingstoke Canal safely and without having to interact with motorists.”
Cycle Woking intends to take all views about the bridge into account before applying for planning permission to go ahead and create the new bridge. All being well, the bridge could be constructed and ready for use by summer 2011.
Brookwood Country Park Pavilion can be found just off the Hermitage Road Roundabout. Anyone who is unable to attend the event but would like an opportunity to discuss the plans should contact John Masson on John.masson@surreycc.gov.uk or 01483 517527 by 5pm on Friday 24 September 2010.”
You can still cycle through Woking town centre
Firstly, apologies for the huge gap between the last blog and this one. It was very lazy of me but have finally got round to doing an update!
There was a council meeting last week to decide whether or not to make permanent the traffic order allowing cyclists through Woking town centre. Many disabled people were present at the meeting as well as representatives from the Woking Cycle Users Group (WCUG) and Cycle Woking.
Basically, it was approved but with more consultations to follow and another meeting set up for Feb 2011.
WCUG are also in the process of forging closer links with the disabled groups as it’s in both our interests. Remember, a lot of the improvements (such as new road crossings and the canal resurfacing) are beneficial to pedestrians as well as cyclists.
Below is the official word from “Cycle Woking”:
http://www.cyclewoking.org.uk/aboutus/news?item=00004C85FDE4.C0A801BA.000044EF.0041
“Local people will still be able to cycle through Woking Town Centre on designated streets, following a decision made by Woking’s Local Committee last week (Thursday 2 September 2010).
The decision to make permanent an order allowing cyclists to share the town centre space with pedestrians was made following the completion of a 17-month long trial, during which no incidents were reported by either pedestrians or cyclists.
Woking Town Centre connects a number of well-used cycle routes with key places such as schools, local businesses, the railway station, shopping and leisure facilities and, in the last twelve months, additional cycle parking has been created in the town centre to make it even easier for people to travel on two wheels.
Allowing cyclists to travel from routes such as the Basingstoke Canal towpath through the town, and on to the train station has been important to Cycle Woking’s success in attracting more people to travel by bike, and Cycle Woking is pleased that the Local Committee has agreed to make the traffic order permanent.
However, over 100 interested local residents attended the meeting, many representing disability groups who expressed safety concerns, particularly for vulnerable local people, as a result of the shared space scheme. It was therefore agreed that the decision will be reviewed at the meeting of the Local Committee to be held on 9 February 2011.
The review will focus on existing cycle routes through the town centre and the feasibility of segregated cycle lanes. It will also take into account the result of a further consultation on shared space to be started shortly with the public, disability groups and stakeholders. This consultation will also consider the need for any additional signage on the ground.
Speaking after the Local Committee meeting, Paul Fishwick, Cycle Woking’s Programme Manager, said: “We have consulted with local people, both pedestrians and cyclists, about the shared space in Woking Town Centre. We will continue to do so, and will be setting up an `incident reporting’ system to enable pedestrians and cyclists to report any future issues. In addition, it is our intention to carry out a number of communications activities which will encourage all users of shared space to be more considerate of one another when using the space that we all have available.
“A number of other towns and cities, including Darlington, Exeter and Brighton, have already taken steps to successfully introduce similar traffic regulation orders and I am confident that we can do the same.”
Following the Local Committee’s decision, the experimental order will be made permanent in the next few weeks, with further consultation, review and communications activities planned during the autumn and winter, in preparation for reporting to the Local Committee in February.
In the meantime, if anyone has any comments about the scheme, they should direct them to Paul Fishwick, Cycle Woking’s Programme Manager at paul.fishwick@surreycc.gov.uk
“
Tour Series Special – Thursday 24th June
The final of the Tour Series arrives in Woking tomorrow (Thursday 24th June) so make sure you’re there in plenty of time and arrive by bike (who knows how bad the traffic will be?)
Come and say hello to the Woking Cycle Users Group who will be having a stand somewhere in the town, we’re not sure yet where it will be but last year it was Wolsey Walk.
There’s loads happening throught the day on and off the track.
- 10am All roads into Woking Town Centre will close to allow the race circuit to be constructed.
-
10am – 3pm Visit the stands in Mercia Walk and have a go on the disco or smoothie bike, find out about local cycling groups, try out an electric cycle, or just admire the display of historic vehicles.
-
12 noon – 2pm Check out the crazy cycle tricksters and `wheelie’ great entertainers in Woking Town Square.
-
1.30pmGive your support tolocal schoolchildren as they compete to take first place on the Tour Series podium during the first of our afternoon’s community races. Get along to Victoria Way for a great trackside view.
-
1.50pm Cheer on the disabled riders in the Special Needs race, as competitors take to the track with their carers to experience the thrill of riding the professional circuit.
-
2.10pm Witness the stars of the future, as Woking’s school children compete to be crowned Tour Series winners. Races are broken down into age categories.
-
3.25pm The schoolchildren hand over the track to their teachers for our Teachers’ Race. Watch to see which teacherscores top marks and takes first place on the on the podium?
-
3.55pm Lend your support to local ladies as they battle to be first across the line and win day spa tickets at Foxhills, in Ottershaw.
-
4.15pm Which Woking business will come out top andplace their riders at the front of the pack to win theWoking Tour Series Business race? make sure you are trackside to see all the action unfold as 20 teams take to thecircuit.
-
4.55pm Get in on the action and experience the thrill of riding the Tour Series circuit during our Free Wheel event for all.
-
5.30pm Sing along with the Rock Choir as they get the crowd warmed up for the main event. They’ll be singing pop, gospel and Motown favourites at the start/finish line, adjacent to Market Square. Meanwhile, The Wonderyears Choir will be welcoming train travellers to Woking in their unique style!
-
6pm Professional riders’ warm up – watch how the professionals prepare body and mind for a 30-lap battle. If you’re in need of refreshment in advance of the race, check out the Hog’s Back tent on Market Square.
-
6.30pm Grab yourself a good spot to watch the action. Great views can be had at Church Corner and Station Approach, where you’ll be entertained by live music!
-
7pm The Halfords Tour Series – final leg. Who will give their all to hold the trophy aloft on the Tour Series podium? There will be thrills and spills as the professionals slog it out to wear the coveted leaders’ jerseys.
Don’t forget!
You can also tune in and watch coverage of the grand finale on Friday 25 June, 7pm to 8pm, on ITV4.
Road Closures
Click here for a detailed map of the road closures and diversion around Woking
Roads closed on 24 June 2010 from 10am until midnight are:
-
A320 Guildford Road and Victoria Way from the southern boundary line of The Sovereigns Public House in a northerly direction to its junction with Lockfield Drive.
-
Goldsworth Road from its junction with A320 Victoria Way to its junction with the eastern end of Poole Road.
-
Church Street West from its junction with Goldsworth Road to its junction with Victoria Way.
-
Church Street West from its junction with Victoria Way to its junction with Cawsey Way.
-
Cawsey Way from its junction with Church Street West to its junction with High Street.
-
High Street from its junction with Cawsey Way to its junction with Broadway.
-
A320 Victoria Way from a point approximately 1 metre west of The Peacocks Car Park access in a westerly direction to its junction with Lockfield Drive.
-
A320 Victoria Way from its junction with Lockfield Drive in a southerly direction to its junction with Victoria Road.
-
Victoria Road to its junction with Oriental Road in an easterly direction.
-
Station Approach from its junction with Heathside Crescent to its junction with Heathside Road.
-
A320 Slip Road (Station Approach to Guildford Road).
Filed under Uncategorized
Apologies for the frequency of the mails this week. Nothing happens for ages then three things happen at once!
Firstly: Woking & Surrey Cycle Challenges
The cycle challenges started on Monday and will finish on Sunday 27th June. There’s still time to join in and try to win prizes.
For people in and around Woking visit http://www.wokingcyclechallenge.org.uk
For Surrey (excluding Woking) visit http://www.surreycyclechallenge.org.uk
Secondly: Free Breakfast – Friday 18th June
Due to the Tour Series happening on Thursday 24th June, the monthly “Bike breakfast” has been moved forward by a week to Friday 18th June.
Basically, turn up in Woking town square between 7am and 9am to get breakfast (a drink, pastry or egg bap) cooked by the chefs from Barcelona Tapas restaurant.
Lastly: Summer Solstice Ride on Saturday 19th June
Join local historian, Iain Wakeford, for a short talk before a (free) supervised bike ride to discover the real history behind H.G. Wells, Woking and The War of the Worlds.
To register in advance, call 01483 743021 or email ellie.guttridge@woking.gov.uk
Cycle Woking Update – June 2010
I recently attended a meeting in Woking with the board of “Cycle Woking” to catch up on the latest news.
Planet Trails Map (s)
Two versions of the map were presented to the Board. One had a street map with the schematic (London underground style) map on the back. The other had a street map on either side, covering the whole of the Borough, with the schematic map proposed to be issued separately.
The board was informed that the Cycle Forum had unanimously agreed that they preferred the version with street maps on either side which covered the whole Borough.
The Board agreed to proceed with this version of the map and release the schematic map as soon as possible, putting it on the website and A3 posters in the car parks.
Posters and schematic map to be finished and ready for the Tour series.
Social Marketing Project
The Board was updated on the progress of the Social Marketing Project. We were informed that a group of women, all Pakistani and Bangladesh origin, made contact because they wanted to learn to ride a bike. They had heard of the health benefits and so wanted to learn but they didn’t have the money. It has been organised for a female Bikeability instructor to offer training from the Parkview Centre. The group are called the Shearwater Ladies Cycle Group. Hopefully this is just the start of attracting more ladies to cycling.
Cycle Stations proposal
There was an outline bid from Woking Cycle Stations for temporary/semi permanent accommodation. It was advised that £30,000 was needed for the project. The Board agreed to fund £30,000 towards the project subject to planning approval. It was noted that this was to be provided in the form of a grant and that Woking Cycle Stations would have ownership of the accommodation and be responsible for the running and the upkeep of it.
More info about the cycle stations can be found here www.wokingcyclestations.com
Monitoring
We were shown a report of how well Woking is doing compared to other Cycle Demonstration towns, but unfortunately it is confidential until the government “sign it off”, so I can’t give any figures. These will be forthcoming as soon as I have them!
Hermitage Bridge
A preferred design was chosen within the allocated budget, so hopefully the ball is now rolling to get planning permission and actually start building it. there will be consultations first, so when details of these are announced I’ll post the details here and on http://www.wokingcycle.org.uk
