Review initiated over rejected Guildford active travel scheme

A formal challenge has been launched against a decision to reject proposals aimed at encouraging cycling and walking in Guildford. The proposed £6 million active travel initiative, which intended to establish segregated footpaths and cycleways, faced rejection due to apprehensions that cyclists could pose a risk to pedestrian safety. These plans, pertaining to London Road, a significant entry route into Guildford from the A3, were turned down by Surrey County Council’s cabinet, contrary to the advice provided by officers. Lance Spencer, the deputy chair of the communities, environment and highways select committee, has formally requested a review of this decision. Consequently, the select committee will now examine the cabinet’s rejection of the proposals. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the project’s designers asserted that it would enhance safety, thereby encouraging greater participation in cycling and walking, and contribute to achieving net zero carbon emission objectives. Conversely, opponents argued that the scheme was insufficient and would result in constricted bottlenecks for lorries, inadvertently leading to increased traffic congestion. Mr. Spencer stated that the decision “failed to consider” broader implications, such as the potential forfeiture of £6 million in funding from Active Travel England. He also mentioned that evaluations indicated certain sections of the London Road scheme did not meet safety standards for cyclists and pedestrians, and that no alternative proposals had been presented. Mr. Spencer asserted that remarks made by cabinet members indicated the rejection “was solely on the grounds that the scheme would not be sufficiently safe for disabled pedestrians,” yet he contended that “no evidence in support of that view was presented at the meeting other than hearsay.” As part of its review, the committee is scheduled to examine evidence and witness statements at a meeting on Tuesday, prior to determining whether to return the decision to the cabinet for further consideration. Tim Oliver, the council’s leader, stated: “Having considered the safety concerns raised by the Surrey Coalition of Disabled People around shared spaces at bus stops and on the pavement, alongside both the strength of feeling from the local community and the findings of an independent technical review about the scheme, cabinet members decided not to proceed with this part of the proposal.”