Stage 1 of the London Road Active Travel Scheme runs from Boxgrove Roundabout to Aldi and includes: Please support this scheme by by emailing all Surrey County Council cabinet members* before the middle of October. Please add one or two sentences as to why this is important for you and your family. Be sure to…
Have you ever waited at a pedestrian or cycle crossing and wondered why it takes so long for the green person or cyclist to appear? And why road users wait less time? GBUG are currently campaigning to improve pedestrian and cycle crossing timings in Guildford. Please sign our petition. For more information on why this is important…
Beryl e-bike hubs have started being installed around Guildford. Here is one outside the library! Hubs will be installed from Jacobs Well to Shalford over the next few months. Charges are 16p/minute plus £1 to unlock the bike. (Bundles of minutes are available more cheaply). Users who leave bikes outside the painted bays will receive…
Improvements have started to the north side of the A25 Ladymead include widening the footway and introducing signalised toucan crossing facilities over the vehicle entrance/exit to Ladymead Retail Centre. This will overcome the gap in the existing shared pedestrian and cycling route along the A25. GBUG have further information on this package of improvements.
GBUG are delighted that phase 1 of the Guildford to Godalming Greenway has been awarded funding! The Godalming Cycle Campaign came up with the idea to provide a surfaced, all-weather cycle route between the two towns. GBUG joined with Godalming Cycle Campaign to push the idea forward with Guildford Borough Council. Construction is due to commence from 2025.
Guildford’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) was endorsed by the council on 8th August. See our LCWIP page for a summary of the new cycle routes that have been given the highest priority for implementation.
Charlotteville Cycling Club are proud to be hosting the CANYON Guildford Town Centre Races on Wednesday 3rd July. This will be the 40th anniversary of the event and with the extended course which was trialled last year. It’s set to be a great evening of racing, with U8s to elite level racing there really is…
West Surrey Cycling Club are running four long distance cycling events this summer ranging from 100 to 200km. For more information visit our events page.
Plans for a Burpham to Guildford active travel scheme in Guildford were diluted this year despite more residents supporting it than voicing concerns. And people of Guildford will soon take to the streets to continue the call to put people, and especially children, first when designing travel routes around town. In the afternoon of Saturday…
An exciting e-bike scheme is coming to Guildford with 300+ e-bikes and 50 docking stations. A survey is open until May 2024 for local people to have their say on where docking stations should go. We hope our readers would offer their support for the scheme which will only encourage cycling in Guildford. Beryl will…
GBUG were very disappointed with Surrey County Council’s decision, announced on 27th February that: Fundamental flaws GBUG strongly feels there are fundamental flaws in the council’s decision. We urge the council now to approve as soon as possible the bike lane improvements already designed for section one, and to reverse the cancellation of section three…
Kidical Mass Guildford are organising the next mass bike ride for 27th April 2024! To hear about further details, please join the G-BUG community, or visit our Events page for updates.
A town-wide e-bike hire scheme is planned for Guildford (similar to the “Boris” bikes in London). The scheme will have more than 300 e-bikes at 50 hubs located across Guildford, with a possible 90 e-bike expansion to Godalming. Guildford Borough Council expects the scheme to be implemented in May 2024.
Is active travel, the planet and Juliette’s life important? If so, Surrey County Council should go ahead with the proposed and government funded improvements along London Road.
On Car Free Day on Sunday 24 September, almost 300 children and adults of all ages took to Guildford’s streets and cycle paths on a joyful mass bike ride, to amplify the call for better cycling infrastructure across the town. The ride was one of hundreds taking place in towns and cities all over the…
Surrey County Council has now launched the London Road Active Travel Scheme public engagement. Your support is vital to ensure this fully funded project goes ahead. Express your views now via the Council’s public engagement survey or see GBUG’s thoughts on the scheme.
Kidical Mass Guildford’s next ride is organised for Sunday 24th September to coincide with the international Kidical Mass weekend (23rd to 24th September) and Guildford’s Car Free Day. These rides are organised to demonstrate the need and demand for better cycling infrastructure so children can cycle safely. A slow-paced, marshalled community bike ride designed for…
As part of the A3/M25 works, we welcome the news that National Highways have just secured additional funding to extend the cycle route from the A3/M25 into Cobham. G-BUG have worked with National Highways since concept stage, securing an additional new dedicated bridge for non-motorised users. Unsurprisingly, National Highway’s focus is on highway implementation. G-BUG…
Surrey County Council is developing a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) for Guildford Borough to help determine where best to prioritise improvements. G-BUG, Guildford Borough Council and others are actively working with Surrey County Council’s contractor Atkins to produce a 10+ year prioritised programme of infrastructure schemes that require investment, so that when funding becomes available the councils immediately…
Surrey County Council have launched a Miro board exercise. Here you can post questions you would like to have answered as part of the London Road Active Travel project consultation, due in September. The Miro Board is only open until Tuesday evening, so please make your thoughts known. Examples of questions you might like to…
Tour of the Greensand is a gentler 31-mile, 2,400 ft ascent, alternative to the Tour of the Hills starting after the Tour of the Hills group depart at around 10.15am from Shere Village Hall, Gomshall Ln, Shere, Guildford GU5 9HE. Groups will be led by West Surrey Cycling Club ride leaders, or you can self…
You may be wondering why it’s all gone a bit quiet. Well it hasn’t. The Stakeholder group of interested local parties, including G-BUG, has met twice, and will meet two further times by end July. The Group’s purpose is to help design the public consultation package that will give you your chance to express your…
Surrey County Council is developing a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) for Guildford to help determine where best to prioritise improvements. Pinpoint your suggestions on their interactive map here. If you have suggestions for whole new routes, add them to plotaroute.com (its free to sign up). Name the route “G-LCWIP Suggestion A to B”, include…
Kidical Mass Guildford are aiming to organise another mass bike ride to coincide with Guildford’s car free day on Sunday September 24th. Put it in your diaries! To hear about further details, please join the G-BUG community, or visit our Events page for updates.
Tour of The Hills is on Sunday 6th of August, starting in Shere. Entry fee includes excellent drinks and snacks before, during and after the ride. The Audax event is run by our local Cycling UK affiliated West Surrey Cycling Club. The ride is tough; 76 miles with 7200 feet of climbing. However, because the course…
Yesterday the streets of Guildford and Redhill were alive with crowds of children celebrating the joy of cycling and highlighting the need for more safe cycle routes in Surrey. Over 300 people of all ages took part in Guildford and 280 in Redhill, from babies in trailers to grandparents on e-bikes. Despite the damp weather,…
Kidical Mass Guildford are organising their first ride around Guildford! These rides are organised to demonstrate the need and demand for better cycling infrastructure so children can cycle safely. A slow-paced, marshalled community bike ride designed for riders of all ages and all abilities (children must be accompanied by a grown-up). We will start and…
Following the one-way trial along Walnut Tree Close, G-BUG is delighted that Surrey County Council have decided to make it permanent. The scheme has many benefits including better air quality, improved safety for all road users. It creates a dedicated, safe cycle route from the university and A25, from Ladymead to Guildford’s town centre and the railway station, and turns a dangerous commuter rat…
The Dagley Lane resurfacing of the Bridleway is complete with funding obtained as part of the EATF Tranche 2. The surface is a bound, all-weather surface to allow all-weather cycling between Shalford and Guildford without using the main road. The path between the bridleway and Shalford Thames Water Depot will be upgraded soon.
G-BUG is going to be in Guildford town centre this Car Free Sunday to help mark the launch of Zero Carbon Guildford, just one of many opportunities to get involved. Guildford’s Great Big Green Week will culminate in a town centre Car Free Day on this Sunday, 26th September. Come and see us at the G-BUG stand between 10am and 4.30pm…
Reminder this Sunday (26th September) is ‘Car Free Day‘ in Guildford. Come and see us at the G-BUG stand between 10am and 4.30pm to discuss our campaign to improve cycling, get route advice etc. We will be part of the Zero Carbon Guildford display, in the Yellow zone on North Street, exact location to be…
Further to the Zoom presentation on 8th June, here are the slides. Note these are slightly different from the one presented, but the key points are the same. We are still seeking the up to date version, and will update it here when we have it. There is also an audio recording of the discussion:…
Readers of our website are invited to a presentation by Rob Fairbanks, Director of the Surrey Hills Board, and Kieran Foster, Cycling UK National Off-Road Adviser. They will discuss the concept of Strategic Greenways for cyclists, walkers and horse riders, and their plans for the Surrey Hills AONB, including the Leith Hill Greenway which has…
G-BUG sent a questionnaire to the parties standing in the elections, and asked them to pass it on to their candidates. The questionnaire sought candidates views on cycling. At the moment we have had responses from the following candidates, to whom we are grateful given the short notice. They are listed in alphabetical order by…
G-BUG put a question to the SCC/GBC Joint Committee at its meeting on 17 March about whether the Committee would support a pilot mini-Holland scheme in Guildford, and apply to DfT to be one of 12 local authorities for investment under the scheme proposed in Gear Change report (if that materialises). You can see the…
Surrey County Council is currently (Jan 2021) running a trial to reduce motor traffic on Walnut Tree Close, by installing a one way section, whilst still permitting two-way travel by cyclists. It is hoped that this will make WTC a safer corridor for cyclists to travel to and from the town centre and station. The…
We need your help to secure funding for two new cycle schemes for Guildford. Surrey County Council (SCC) has been awarded £6.4M from Tranche 2 of the Department for Transport’s Emergency Active Travel Fund (EATF). SCC has identified 10 potential projects across the county, costing a total of £7.8M. Given the shortfall, it will be…
The consultants working for GBC held an online exhibition to update the public on their proposals for the site infrastructure: a video recording is here (go to “Sixth Online Public Exhibition: Our Emerging Proposals Thursday 22nd October, 2020”). Our comments are here. We think the proposals look promising for cycling, including a branch of the…
G-BUG has joined the Community Liaison Group for the former Wisley Airfield development (“Wisley Village”). The Group has been established by the developers, Taylor Wimpey, and comprises local residents groups and also RHS Wisley. G-BUG will press for the best possible cycle links for the new community, and for improvements for all cyclists in the…
Weyside Urban Village Development (formerly known as Slyfield Area Regeneration Project, SARP): Representatives of G-BUG met recently with Markides Associates, who are providing advice to GBC on the Masterplan for the development, including sustainable transport. Although house building is some way off (2023-2033), work on infrastructure could start much sooner using funding from the Housing…
We responded to the SCC Online Questionnaire about the College Link Plus Cycle Route. We supported the proposals, in particular the cycling contraflow on Bedford Road and allowing cycling on the footpath between William Road and Wharf Road which are essential to make this new route viable. However, we asked that details of the route…
Here are the G-BUG responses to the SCC online survey for the Woodbridge Road changes, ie the Toucan Crossing and the bus lane. We urged a rethink on the design of the crossing to a ‘straight across’ design with minimal delay for cyclists. For the bus lane (which cyclists can share), we welcomed the exclusion…
SCC has submitted its bid for the Emergency Active Travel Fund Tranche 2. They say “….10 schemes across the county bid for, totalling £7.8m, against our indicative allocation from DfT of £6.785m, this overbid, we believe shows Surrey’s ambition for active travel.” Two schemes for Guildford are included, namely: We should know by September if…
Includes introducing a new Toucan Crossing for the “College Link +” cycle route linking the station to Guildford College. Also includes extension to bus lanes; whilst directed at improving bus travel along Woodbridge Road, these lanes will also be open to cyclists. There are associated changes to parking bays. Responses must be in by 21…
As posted on June 9th, Guildford Borough Council asked for views on its “Local Plan: Development Management Policies – Issues and Preferred Options” document. This includes a number of topics, one of which is “Achieving a comprehensive Guildford Borough cycle network” (Policy ID10, Question 37). As well as the network proposed in the recent Guildford…
Recently, GBC issued its Cycle Routes Assessment Feasibility Study, which included a comprehensive proposal for a Guildford town cycle network. GBC is now seeking the public’s views on this, as part of its “Local Plan: Development Management Policies – Issues and Preferred Options” Consultation. This includes a number of topics, one of which is “Achieving…
You may recall that Guildford Borough Council commissioned two parallel studies of a town bike share scheme and cycle network by consultancies Transport Initiatives and Urban Movement. They presented at a G-BUG workshop in June 2019, and we submitted a response in August 2019. The final ‘Cycle Route Assessments Report’ has now been issued. We…
(This has also been posted on the G-BUG Facebook Group and emailed on mailchimp.) G-BUG Chair Doug Clare has written to Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet member for Transport, to request a dialogue about the Government’s statutory guidance to local authorities to reallocate roadspace as we come out of Covid-19 lockdown. Councillor Furniss has…
The document provides guidance for developers etc submitting planning applications. As such cycling infrastructure will only be relevant to large scale developments, which are perhaps better dealt with by the Strategic Development Framework SPD, and the only specific reference is to provision of cycle parking. But we think the document could do more to mandate…
Update 4 March: SCC/GBC will debate… read on. Please sign this petition to Surrey County Council. As it says: A Car-Free Day would show what Guildford Town Centre could be like without vehicles – a day with much reduced air pollution, CO2 emissions and noise. It would demonstrate the benefits of walking, cycling, and public…
Further to our original post, our response is here. G-BUG reps were involved in the GBC workshops, and we were pleased to see that most of our suggestions were included.
Representatives of G-BUG met with officials of Surrey County Council (SCC) and Guildford Borough Council (GBC) on 28 January for our regular liaison meeting on all matters cycling in Guildford Borough. Slides from the meeting can be downloaded here. Headlines: Click image to download all slides
Guildford Planning website has a “Non-Material Amendment” ref 19/N/00140 to the planning approval for Guildford Station redevelopment by Solum. It is to allow the relocation of cycle parking to a storage facility fronting Walnut Tree Close. It seems a sensible move. The application is already approved so there is no consultation period, but it may…
Update following meeting: The OSC voted to refer the approval of the Walnut Bridge project back to the Executive. This will mean delay, probably a few weeks for the Executive to meet again. If they vote for major reconsideration, then we could be talking months. Webcast video of the meeting here. Following a rocky ride…
GBC is consulting on its draft SDF Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which provides guidance to assist planning and development of the strategic sites included in the Local Plan: Weyside Urban Village (former Slyfield Area Regeneration Project); Gosden Hill Farm; Blackwell Farm; Land to the South of Ash and Tongham; and former Wisley airfield. This includes…
At the recent Joint Committee the Council’s officers presented an update on the planned experimental one-way closure of WTC: Click the image for PDF of full presentation.
The Committee will discuss the LEP funded projects related to cycling. Here is the link to the Agenda: download the ‘Agenda Reports Pack’ for a comprehensive summary of the projects (SCC-led schemes pp 85-98; GBC-led schemes pp 99-132)
Guildford Borough Council recently resolved to start work on a new Town Centre Master Plan and is also looking to revisit and refresh the Town Centre Regeneration Strategy . The first stage is a ‘scoping survey’, where various interested organisations were invited to submit their views. Here is G-BUG’s submission. We are calling for a…
Slides below. Headlines: Walnut Tree Close one way trial: turning circle to be constructed in Jan/Feb 2020 on Woodbridge Meadows. Trial itself cannot take place until completion of piling for replacement Walnut Bridge, since this will require complete closure of WTC. Hence trial will be 4 months, August-November 2020. A3100 London Road: cycle path from…
Highways England have sent the latest plans for the upgraded M25/A3 Wisley Interchange. Of particular interest, the plans show the proposed route for the cycle track (more precisely, the track for ‘Non-Motorised Users’, NMU) beside the A3 from the Cobham/Painshill junction across a new dedicated bridge over the M25 to the Ockham Park junction. Less…
I attended a community forum on 4 November as G-BUG rep, where the Environment Agency presented on progress with developing a Flood Alleviation Scheme for the town. Our concerns are to ensure that the scheme does not unduly affect cycling adjacent to the River Wey (most notably of course along the towpath), and, more positively,…
There will be an update on Guildford Borough Council’s bike share proposals at the meeting of the Place Making and Innovation Executive Advisory Board, Monday, 21st October, 2019 7.00 pm at Millmead. You can attend in person or view a webcast, details on website, link below.
SCC/GBC have provided their final plans for changes to cycling provision on London Road, between York Road and the Boxgrove Roundabout. In summary, there will be a widened two way shared use pavement on the northbound (Stoke Park) side, between London Road Station and the Boxgrove Roundabout. The existing advisory cycle lane on the southbound…
Officials of Surrey County Council (SCC) and Guildford Borough Council (GBC) meet informally with representatives of G-BUG to discuss progress with cycling-related projects, proposals and initiatives. These meetings are a useful forum through which G-BUG members can provide feedback so that suggestions for improvement can be included at an early stage. The slide packs presented…
The works to provide a shared use path alongside the A25/Woodbridge Road have been completed. The pavement has been widened from the entry road for the Wickes store across the bridge over the River Wey to Woodbridge Meadows. This is a great improvement, although crossing the entrance to Woodbridge Meadows still needs care.
We understand that following a long campaign led by Elmbridge Cycling and Woking Cycle Users Group, Muddy Lane, hitherto signed as a public footpath (ie legally, cycling not permitted) has now been declared de facto to be a bridleway, hence legal for cyclists to use. This track provides a useful and traffic free link between…
At a G-BUG open meeting on 12th June 2019, Guildford Borough Council presented proposals for a town cycle network, and invited feedback. Thank you to all who responded. Here is G-BUG’s response.
At a G-BUG public meeting on 12th June 2019, Guildford Borough Council and their consultants presented the results of a study to define a cycle network for the town. Below are the presentation from that meeting, a definition of route ‘typologies’, and a map defining the proposed network in more detail. G-BUG has been asked by the Council to…
I have done a blog about our annual Round the Hogs Back ride on 9th June, including a map of the route and some photos. Many thanks to John and Dick for leading the ride at short notice. https://cycle-geography.blogspot.com/2019/06/round-hogs-back-cycle-ride.html
At a G-BUG public meeting on 12th June 2019, Guildford Borough Council and their consultants presented the results of a study to define a cycle network for the town. This study was conducted in tandem (scuse the pun) with a study into a bike share scheme for Guildford, in order to identify where route improvements will be…
Guildford Bike User Group invites you to two events Sunday 9th June. Please join us for a leisurely 24 mile cycle ride along quiet lanes and off-road cycle tracks. The ride will pass through Shalford, Binscombe, Puttenham, Runfold to Tongham then back to Guildford via the ‘Christmas Pie Trail’. Departs: 9.30 am from Guildford Borough…
Officials of Surrey County Council (SCC) and Guildford Borough Council (GBC) meet informally with representatives of G-BUG to discuss progress with cycling-related projects, proposals and initiatives. These meetings are a useful forum through which G-BUG members can provide feedback so that suggestions for improvement can be included at an early stage. The slide packs presented…
In summer 2018, Guildford Borough Council (GBC) submitted a planning application Ref 18/P/01213: “Proposed construction of a replacement pedestrian and cycle bridge (Walnut Bridge)”. G-BUG’s response is available to download below.
At their meeting on 13th June 2018, the Guildford Local Committee gave their official backing to the proposals, developed by Godalming Cycle Campaign assisted by G-BUG, for a Guildford Godalming Greenway. The Local Committee is a joint body of Surrey County and Guildford Borough Councillors which addresses issues which overlap between County and Borough responsibilities,…
Highways England recently held a public consultation on their plans to upgrade Junction 10 of the M25 (ie the junction with the A3). This would include a bigger roundabout as well as widening the A3 in the Guildford-bound direction. The plans included a proposal for a dedicated cycleway alongside the A3 between the Ockham and…
Thank you to everyone who came to the public meeting on the 30th January. For those who couldn’t make it here are the notes from the meeting: David Munro – Surrey Police & Crime Commissioner David was invited at short notice (morning of the meeting day) but made an extra effort to attend and speak for…
Our next G-Bug Open Meeting is at Guildford Borough Council offices at 6pm on Tuesday January 30th, please come along, all are welcome. We will be joined by Sergeant Phil Dix of Surrey Police and we’ll be discussing how Surrey Police and GBUG can work together to help more people cycle safely in Guildford. Please let us know if you can…
In 2017, Surrey County Council (SCC) and Guildford Borough Council (GBC) carried out a public consultation about their proposals for the Sustainable Movement Corridor (West). The SMC will ultimately link Burpham in the East to the Research Park in the West with the intention to make it easier for people to walk, cycle and take…
Our next G-Bug Open Meeting is at Guildford Borough Council offices at 6pm next Tuesday June 6th, please come along, all are welcome. We have two guest speakers joining us: Clare Rogers – Enfield Cycle Campaign Paul Gasson – Waltham Forest Cycling Campaign Enfield Cycle Campaign along with Enfield Borough who have recently had a…
Our next G-Bug meeting is on Jan 30th at GBC Offices Millmead from 6pm to 7.30. We will be discussing what we’ve achieved in 2016 and our Priority List of Items that we wish to campaign for in 2017. Agenda: Introduction and G-BUG Vision Progress in 2016 How we are working Objectives for 2017 What can you…
G-BUG had a great third meeting yesterday at the offices of Guildford Borough Council. Anne Milton MP joined us to hear about the new direction and energy the group now has and there was an excellent turnout for a Friday afternoon meeting. Main things discussed were about how frustrating Guildford is to cycle around despite…
Stage 1 of the London Road Active Travel Scheme runs from Boxgrove Roundabout to Aldi and includes: Please support this scheme by by emailing all Surrey County Council cabinet members* before the middle of October. Please add one or two sentences as to why this is important for you and your family. Be sure to…
Have you ever waited at a pedestrian or cycle crossing and wondered why it takes so long for the green person or cyclist to appear? And why road users wait less time? GBUG are currently campaigning to improve pedestrian and cycle crossing timings in Guildford. Please sign our petition. For more information on why this is important…
Beryl e-bike hubs have started being installed around Guildford. Here is one outside the library! Hubs will be installed from Jacobs Well to Shalford over the next few months. Charges are 16p/minute plus £1 to unlock the bike. (Bundles of minutes are available more cheaply). Users who leave bikes outside the painted bays will receive…
Improvements have started to the north side of the A25 Ladymead include widening the footway and introducing signalised toucan crossing facilities over the vehicle entrance/exit to Ladymead Retail Centre. This will overcome the gap in the existing shared pedestrian and cycling route along the A25. GBUG have further information on this package of improvements.
Kidical’s next ride is in Guildford on Sunday 29th September at 2pm. For more information see our Events page.
GBUG are delighted that phase 1 of the Guildford to Godalming Greenway has been awarded funding! The Godalming Cycle Campaign came up with the idea to provide a surfaced, all-weather cycle route between the two towns. GBUG joined with Godalming Cycle Campaign to push the idea forward with Guildford Borough Council. Construction is due to commence from 2025.
Guildford’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) was endorsed by the council on 8th August. See our LCWIP page for a summary of the new cycle routes that have been given the highest priority for implementation.
Charlotteville Cycling Club are proud to be hosting the CANYON Guildford Town Centre Races on Wednesday 3rd July. This will be the 40th anniversary of the event and with the extended course which was trialled last year. It’s set to be a great evening of racing, with U8s to elite level racing there really is…
West Surrey Cycling Club are running four long distance cycling events this summer ranging from 100 to 200km. For more information visit our events page.
Plans for a Burpham to Guildford active travel scheme in Guildford were diluted this year despite more residents supporting it than voicing concerns. And people of Guildford will soon take to the streets to continue the call to put people, and especially children, first when designing travel routes around town. In the afternoon of Saturday…
An exciting e-bike scheme is coming to Guildford with 300+ e-bikes and 50 docking stations. A survey is open until May 2024 for local people to have their say on where docking stations should go. We hope our readers would offer their support for the scheme which will only encourage cycling in Guildford. Beryl will…
GBUG were very disappointed with Surrey County Council’s decision, announced on 27th February that: Fundamental flaws GBUG strongly feels there are fundamental flaws in the council’s decision. We urge the council now to approve as soon as possible the bike lane improvements already designed for section one, and to reverse the cancellation of section three…
Kidical Mass Guildford are organising the next mass bike ride for 27th April 2024! To hear about further details, please join the G-BUG community, or visit our Events page for updates.
A town-wide e-bike hire scheme is planned for Guildford (similar to the “Boris” bikes in London). The scheme will have more than 300 e-bikes at 50 hubs located across Guildford, with a possible 90 e-bike expansion to Godalming. Guildford Borough Council expects the scheme to be implemented in May 2024.
Is active travel, the planet and Juliette’s life important? If so, Surrey County Council should go ahead with the proposed and government funded improvements along London Road.
On Car Free Day on Sunday 24 September, almost 300 children and adults of all ages took to Guildford’s streets and cycle paths on a joyful mass bike ride, to amplify the call for better cycling infrastructure across the town. The ride was one of hundreds taking place in towns and cities all over the…
Kidical Mass Guildford’s next ride is organised for Sunday 24th September to coincide with the international Kidical Mass weekend (23rd to 24th September) and Guildford’s Car Free Day. These rides are organised to demonstrate the need and demand for better cycling infrastructure so children can cycle safely. A slow-paced, marshalled community bike ride designed for…
As part of the A3/M25 works, we welcome the news that National Highways have just secured additional funding to extend the cycle route from the A3/M25 into Cobham. G-BUG have worked with National Highways since concept stage, securing an additional new dedicated bridge for non-motorised users. Unsurprisingly, National Highway’s focus is on highway implementation. G-BUG…
Surrey County Council is developing a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) for Guildford Borough to help determine where best to prioritise improvements. G-BUG, Guildford Borough Council and others are actively working with Surrey County Council’s contractor Atkins to produce a 10+ year prioritised programme of infrastructure schemes that require investment, so that when funding becomes available the councils immediately…
Surrey County Council have launched a Miro board exercise. Here you can post questions you would like to have answered as part of the London Road Active Travel project consultation, due in September. The Miro Board is only open until Tuesday evening, so please make your thoughts known. Examples of questions you might like to…
Tour of the Greensand is a gentler 31-mile, 2,400 ft ascent, alternative to the Tour of the Hills starting after the Tour of the Hills group depart at around 10.15am from Shere Village Hall, Gomshall Ln, Shere, Guildford GU5 9HE. Groups will be led by West Surrey Cycling Club ride leaders, or you can self…
Tour of The Hills is on Sunday 6th of August, starting in Shere. Entry fee includes excellent drinks and snacks before, during and after the ride. The Audax event is run by our local Cycling UK affiliated West Surrey Cycling Club. The ride is tough; 76 miles with 7200 feet of climbing. However, because the course…
Yesterday the streets of Guildford and Redhill were alive with crowds of children celebrating the joy of cycling and highlighting the need for more safe cycle routes in Surrey. Over 300 people of all ages took part in Guildford and 280 in Redhill, from babies in trailers to grandparents on e-bikes. Despite the damp weather,…
Kidical Mass Guildford are organising their first ride around Guildford! These rides are organised to demonstrate the need and demand for better cycling infrastructure so children can cycle safely. A slow-paced, marshalled community bike ride designed for riders of all ages and all abilities (children must be accompanied by a grown-up). We will start and…
Following the one-way trial along Walnut Tree Close, G-BUG is delighted that Surrey County Council have decided to make it permanent. The scheme has many benefits including better air quality, improved safety for all road users. It creates a dedicated, safe cycle route from the university and A25, from Ladymead to Guildford’s town centre and the railway station, and turns a dangerous commuter rat…
Check out our article on the Guildford Dragon, written by our committee member Cameron Allan.
Check out the Guildford Dragon article on the London Road Active Travel scheme written by G-BUG.
The Dagley Lane resurfacing of the Bridleway is complete with funding obtained as part of the EATF Tranche 2. The surface is a bound, all-weather surface to allow all-weather cycling between Shalford and Guildford without using the main road. The path between the bridleway and Shalford Thames Water Depot will be upgraded soon.
Reminder this Sunday (26th September) is ‘Car Free Day‘ in Guildford. Come and see us at the G-BUG stand between 10am and 4.30pm to discuss our campaign to improve cycling, get route advice etc. We will be part of the Zero Carbon Guildford display, in the Yellow zone on North Street, exact location to be…
Further to the Zoom presentation on 8th June, here are the slides. Note these are slightly different from the one presented, but the key points are the same. We are still seeking the up to date version, and will update it here when we have it. There is also an audio recording of the discussion:…
Readers of our website are invited to a presentation by Rob Fairbanks, Director of the Surrey Hills Board, and Kieran Foster, Cycling UK National Off-Road Adviser. They will discuss the concept of Strategic Greenways for cyclists, walkers and horse riders, and their plans for the Surrey Hills AONB, including the Leith Hill Greenway which has…
G-BUG sent a questionnaire to the parties standing in the elections, and asked them to pass it on to their candidates. The questionnaire sought candidates views on cycling. At the moment we have had responses from the following candidates, to whom we are grateful given the short notice. They are listed in alphabetical order by…
G-BUG put a question to the SCC/GBC Joint Committee at its meeting on 17 March about whether the Committee would support a pilot mini-Holland scheme in Guildford, and apply to DfT to be one of 12 local authorities for investment under the scheme proposed in Gear Change report (if that materialises). You can see the…
We need your help to secure funding for two new cycle schemes for Guildford. Surrey County Council (SCC) has been awarded £6.4M from Tranche 2 of the Department for Transport’s Emergency Active Travel Fund (EATF). SCC has identified 10 potential projects across the county, costing a total of £7.8M. Given the shortfall, it will be…
The consultants working for GBC held an online exhibition to update the public on their proposals for the site infrastructure: a video recording is here (go to “Sixth Online Public Exhibition: Our Emerging Proposals Thursday 22nd October, 2020”). Our comments are here. We think the proposals look promising for cycling, including a branch of the…
Weyside Urban Village Development (formerly known as Slyfield Area Regeneration Project, SARP): Representatives of G-BUG met recently with Markides Associates, who are providing advice to GBC on the Masterplan for the development, including sustainable transport. Although house building is some way off (2023-2033), work on infrastructure could start much sooner using funding from the Housing…
We responded to the SCC Online Questionnaire about the College Link Plus Cycle Route. We supported the proposals, in particular the cycling contraflow on Bedford Road and allowing cycling on the footpath between William Road and Wharf Road which are essential to make this new route viable. However, we asked that details of the route…
Here are the G-BUG responses to the SCC online survey for the Woodbridge Road changes, ie the Toucan Crossing and the bus lane. We urged a rethink on the design of the crossing to a ‘straight across’ design with minimal delay for cyclists. For the bus lane (which cyclists can share), we welcomed the exclusion…
As posted on June 9th, Guildford Borough Council asked for views on its “Local Plan: Development Management Policies – Issues and Preferred Options” document. This includes a number of topics, one of which is “Achieving a comprehensive Guildford Borough cycle network” (Policy ID10, Question 37). As well as the network proposed in the recent Guildford…
Link to slides pdf below. The principal topic as usual was to update on the Town Centre Transport Package. Headlines:
Recently, GBC issued its Cycle Routes Assessment Feasibility Study, which included a comprehensive proposal for a Guildford town cycle network. GBC is now seeking the public’s views on this, as part of its “Local Plan: Development Management Policies – Issues and Preferred Options” Consultation. This includes a number of topics, one of which is “Achieving…
You may recall that Guildford Borough Council commissioned two parallel studies of a town bike share scheme and cycle network by consultancies Transport Initiatives and Urban Movement. They presented at a G-BUG workshop in June 2019, and we submitted a response in August 2019. The final ‘Cycle Route Assessments Report’ has now been issued. We…
(This has also been posted on the G-BUG Facebook Group and emailed on mailchimp.) G-BUG Chair Doug Clare has written to Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet member for Transport, to request a dialogue about the Government’s statutory guidance to local authorities to reallocate roadspace as we come out of Covid-19 lockdown. Councillor Furniss has…
The document provides guidance for developers etc submitting planning applications. As such cycling infrastructure will only be relevant to large scale developments, which are perhaps better dealt with by the Strategic Development Framework SPD, and the only specific reference is to provision of cycle parking. But we think the document could do more to mandate…
Representatives of G-BUG met with officials of Surrey County Council (SCC) and Guildford Borough Council (GBC) on 28 January for our regular liaison meeting on all matters cycling in Guildford Borough. Slides from the meeting can be downloaded here. Headlines: Click image to download all slides
Guildford Planning website has a “Non-Material Amendment” ref 19/N/00140 to the planning approval for Guildford Station redevelopment by Solum. It is to allow the relocation of cycle parking to a storage facility fronting Walnut Tree Close. It seems a sensible move. The application is already approved so there is no consultation period, but it may…
Update following meeting: The OSC voted to refer the approval of the Walnut Bridge project back to the Executive. This will mean delay, probably a few weeks for the Executive to meet again. If they vote for major reconsideration, then we could be talking months. Webcast video of the meeting here. Following a rocky ride…
GBC is consulting on its draft SDF Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which provides guidance to assist planning and development of the strategic sites included in the Local Plan: Weyside Urban Village (former Slyfield Area Regeneration Project); Gosden Hill Farm; Blackwell Farm; Land to the South of Ash and Tongham; and former Wisley airfield. This includes…
At the recent Joint Committee the Council’s officers presented an update on the planned experimental one-way closure of WTC: Click the image for PDF of full presentation.
The Committee will discuss the LEP funded projects related to cycling. Here is the link to the Agenda: download the ‘Agenda Reports Pack’ for a comprehensive summary of the projects (SCC-led schemes pp 85-98; GBC-led schemes pp 99-132)
Guildford Borough Council recently resolved to start work on a new Town Centre Master Plan and is also looking to revisit and refresh the Town Centre Regeneration Strategy . The first stage is a ‘scoping survey’, where various interested organisations were invited to submit their views. Here is G-BUG’s submission. We are calling for a…
Slides below. Headlines: Walnut Tree Close one way trial: turning circle to be constructed in Jan/Feb 2020 on Woodbridge Meadows. Trial itself cannot take place until completion of piling for replacement Walnut Bridge, since this will require complete closure of WTC. Hence trial will be 4 months, August-November 2020. A3100 London Road: cycle path from…
Highways England have sent the latest plans for the upgraded M25/A3 Wisley Interchange. Of particular interest, the plans show the proposed route for the cycle track (more precisely, the track for ‘Non-Motorised Users’, NMU) beside the A3 from the Cobham/Painshill junction across a new dedicated bridge over the M25 to the Ockham Park junction. Less…
I attended a community forum on 4 November as G-BUG rep, where the Environment Agency presented on progress with developing a Flood Alleviation Scheme for the town. Our concerns are to ensure that the scheme does not unduly affect cycling adjacent to the River Wey (most notably of course along the towpath), and, more positively,…
There will be an update on Guildford Borough Council’s bike share proposals at the meeting of the Place Making and Innovation Executive Advisory Board, Monday, 21st October, 2019 7.00 pm at Millmead. You can attend in person or view a webcast, details on website, link below.
GBC has provided new material on its website for the SMC West SMC West wesbite (includes useful video) Update on works for SMC(West)
SCC/GBC have provided their final plans for changes to cycling provision on London Road, between York Road and the Boxgrove Roundabout. In summary, there will be a widened two way shared use pavement on the northbound (Stoke Park) side, between London Road Station and the Boxgrove Roundabout. The existing advisory cycle lane on the southbound…
Officials of Surrey County Council (SCC) and Guildford Borough Council (GBC) meet informally with representatives of G-BUG to discuss progress with cycling-related projects, proposals and initiatives. These meetings are a useful forum through which G-BUG members can provide feedback so that suggestions for improvement can be included at an early stage. The slide packs presented…
The works to provide a shared use path alongside the A25/Woodbridge Road have been completed. The pavement has been widened from the entry road for the Wickes store across the bridge over the River Wey to Woodbridge Meadows. This is a great improvement, although crossing the entrance to Woodbridge Meadows still needs care.
We understand that following a long campaign led by Elmbridge Cycling and Woking Cycle Users Group, Muddy Lane, hitherto signed as a public footpath (ie legally, cycling not permitted) has now been declared de facto to be a bridleway, hence legal for cyclists to use. This track provides a useful and traffic free link between…
At a G-BUG open meeting on 12th June 2019, Guildford Borough Council presented proposals for a town cycle network, and invited feedback. Thank you to all who responded. Here is G-BUG’s response.
I have done a blog about our annual Round the Hogs Back ride on 9th June, including a map of the route and some photos. Many thanks to John and Dick for leading the ride at short notice. https://cycle-geography.blogspot.com/2019/06/round-hogs-back-cycle-ride.html
At a G-BUG public meeting on 12th June 2019, Guildford Borough Council and their consultants presented the results of a study to define a cycle network for the town. This study was conducted in tandem (scuse the pun) with a study into a bike share scheme for Guildford, in order to identify where route improvements will be…
Guildford Bike User Group invites you to two events Sunday 9th June. Please join us for a leisurely 24 mile cycle ride along quiet lanes and off-road cycle tracks. The ride will pass through Shalford, Binscombe, Puttenham, Runfold to Tongham then back to Guildford via the ‘Christmas Pie Trail’. Departs: 9.30 am from Guildford Borough…
Officials of Surrey County Council (SCC) and Guildford Borough Council (GBC) meet informally with representatives of G-BUG to discuss progress with cycling-related projects, proposals and initiatives. These meetings are a useful forum through which G-BUG members can provide feedback so that suggestions for improvement can be included at an early stage. The slide packs presented…
SCC held a consultation on its draft Low Emissions Transport Strategy. G-BUG’s response is available for download below.
In summer 2018, Guildford Borough Council (GBC) submitted a planning application Ref 18/P/01213: “Proposed construction of a replacement pedestrian and cycle bridge (Walnut Bridge)”. G-BUG’s response is available to download below.
At their meeting on 13th June 2018, the Guildford Local Committee gave their official backing to the proposals, developed by Godalming Cycle Campaign assisted by G-BUG, for a Guildford Godalming Greenway. The Local Committee is a joint body of Surrey County and Guildford Borough Councillors which addresses issues which overlap between County and Borough responsibilities,…
Highways England recently held a public consultation on their plans to upgrade Junction 10 of the M25 (ie the junction with the A3). This would include a bigger roundabout as well as widening the A3 in the Guildford-bound direction. The plans included a proposal for a dedicated cycleway alongside the A3 between the Ockham and…
In 2017, Surrey County Council (SCC) and Guildford Borough Council (GBC) carried out a public consultation about their proposals for the Sustainable Movement Corridor (West). The SMC will ultimately link Burpham in the East to the Research Park in the West with the intention to make it easier for people to walk, cycle and take…