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Monday, 21 October 2013 11:08

LOSRA Responds to Surrey County Council Cycling Strategy

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(29 votes)

At this year’s LOSRA AGM, the possibility of seeking a pedestrian and cycle river crossing between Sunbury and Elmbridge in order to access the Thames Path, maybe using the weir infrastructure,if any negative implications for residents could be satisfactorily addressed, was discussed and received broad support. A survey we have conducted since then also indicates that it is something which a majority of Sunbury residents would welcome, and a considerable number would use.

We asked a question at the Surrey County Council Area Committee on 30th September to ascertain if they would approve such a scheme in principle. While they were unable to “approve” the concept, they said they would welcome new infrastructure that helped meet their transport objectives, which included encouraging more walking and cycling. A bridge could form part of a cycling action plan to be developed in the future. They said that a feasibility study would be needed to establish whether the benefits justified the likely cost and outweighed any negative impacts.

We have since discussed the implications of a feasibility study with Surrey’s Area Highways Manager, who indicated that this might cost between £5,000 and £10,000. The LOSRA Committee has subsequently approved in principle the possibility of contributing to the cost of a study, once we have more details. In addition, a local resident, who is a civil engineer with a specific knowledge of bridge technology, has done an initial outline study of options and costs, which may inform the debate as the project moves forward.

At the same time the Surrey Cycling Strategy is currently under consultation, and LOSRA has made a submission to that which, among other comments, will naturally highlight the potential value of improved access to the Thames Path.

As well as opposing projects that we don’t like, LOSRA also likes to take a pro-active stance in pursuing objectives which we think will enhance the quality of life in the area, and this is one of them. To view the LOSRA response to the SCC Cycling Strategy consultation document, click here

21 comments

  • Comment Link Douglas Tuesday, 22 October 2013 13:27 posted by Douglas

    Couldn't disagree more with the last comment. I was all for the footbridge proposed from Rivermead Island some time ago - at the time I lived about 100m from the proposed site. I have moved in the last 10 years but still within 400m of the river and can only see the positive aspects of such a bridge as would anyone who has cycled from Sunbury to Walton Bridge! As for the Chelsea training ground objections...if that had been allowed the London Irish site on the Avenue would not now be turned over to more residential development. I think LOSRA has to be congratulated on being positive with regard to this excellent proposal. Whenever has a bridge between communities been a bad idea?

  • Comment Link Richard Stephenson Tuesday, 22 October 2013 13:09 posted by Richard Stephenson

    I would just add that the foot/cycle paths on the new Walton Bridge are so wide as to make any further provision for foot or cycle crossings in this area redundant anyway !

  • Comment Link Richaerd Stephenson Tuesday, 22 October 2013 13:07 posted by Richaerd Stephenson

    This idea of putting a footbridge across the river in this area was first mooted about 15 years ago and was then roundly rejected by the majority of Lower Sunbury residents - the only local supporters of it seemed to be those who lived some way away up Green Street and The Avenue (more Sunbury Cross and Kempton Park than Lower Sunbury) and who would not be affected by it.
    The arguments put up against it are as strong today as they were then, especially the idea of opening up Wheatley's Ait and Sunbury Weir itself to public access with all the dangers that would incur.
    There is also now of course a further problem in that any footbridge in this area would just enable Lower Sunbury to be used as a car-parking facility for the new football stadium soon to be built on the riverbank just opposite us at Walton Leisure Centre, so that we will have all their traffic clogging up Lower Sunbury and it's parking spaces, as well as the Anti-Social Behaviour that can be expected to come with it.
    (ie it would be much the same as if Chelsea Football Club had been allowed to build their new ground here a few years back - which, thank Heaven, they were prevented from doing.

  • Comment Link Richard Tuesday, 22 October 2013 12:38 posted by Richard

    A brilliant idea - I can't really see any downnsides. For some people it may even make their daily commute shorter, safer, healthier and more pleasant. For others it may actually get them to either walk or cycle instead of going by car with the added bonus of reducing traffic at Hampton and Walton bridges. What is not to like?

  • Comment Link Jane Cowling Tuesday, 22 October 2013 12:16 posted by Jane Cowling

    Fabulous idea...this has been something I've longed for since I moved here. It would be great for giving more choice of routes for cycling with the children, for running, etc. Would be fully supportive of this!

  • Comment Link Peter Francis Tuesday, 22 October 2013 09:30 posted by Peter Francis

    In the right location it is an excellent idea, long overdue.

  • Comment Link Helen Pond Monday, 21 October 2013 21:06 posted by Helen Pond

    I think that a cycle path would be a great idea and am completely in favour of it.

  • Comment Link Tessa Cook Monday, 21 October 2013 19:25 posted by Tessa Cook

    A definite 'yes' for the bridge. It would encourage cycling in the area - to be able to access a much longer cycle path without resorting to a car.

  • Comment Link david woods Monday, 21 October 2013 16:25 posted by david woods

    I strongly support the plan and would use the bridge often. My family also

    David

  • Comment Link Sara Hayter Monday, 21 October 2013 12:54 posted by Sara Hayter

    I live in Lower Sunbury with my two children and we would all be in favour of a pedestrian/cycle bridge it would encourage and benefit both the communities of Walton and Sunbury, would lessen the traffic on Walton Bridge and encourage more healthy options. 100% I and my family would use such a bridge several times per week.