Following extensive engagement and consultation regarding changes to a section of London Road in Guildford, Surrey County Council cabinet members have decided not to proceed with a large part of the project.

Residents and people passing through the area have been asked for their views on a new proposed cycle and walking route on the A3100 in Burpham..

Views from the local community generated support for various elements of the project, but also highlighted significant concerns regarding the proposed roadway width for large vehicles and adjacent shared paths for pedestrians along the first section of the project (New Inn Lane to York Road). The officers then ordered a independent technical review of the regime.

Cabinet members took into account the recommendations of this review, as well as the strength of feeling in the local community, and decided not to proceed with this part of the project.

Councilor Tim Oliver, Leader of the Council, said: “Unfortunately, despite a lot of work going into the design of this project, many residents, representative groups and ourselves as Cabinet members, could not be fully convinced that this would lead to greater safety on this stretch of particular road. I wholeheartedly want to see more residents walking and cycling instead of driving, but to encourage this our infrastructure needs to be safe. We will continue many great projects across Surrey to make active travel easier and safer, including in Guildford, but this particular section of the London Road project will not go ahead.

The second section of the proposed project, funded by a central government grant, is still set to continue, involving the refurbishment of the Boxgrove roundabout to make it safer for all road users.

Although this particular project has not been approved in full, Surrey County Council remains committed to improving Surrey’s active travel infrastructure and will continue its work to design and implement programs across the county that make walking and cycling easier and safer for people of all ages.

The council has invested £6.3 million in eight major active travel improvement projects over the past three years across the county, with a further £6 million due to be delivered this year, including new cycle routes and improved.

The council is also implementing a £3 million program to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians outside 29 schools, including pedestrian crossing routes, wider pavements and signals, all designed to make active travel easier and safer.

This is in addition to nearly 50 miles of roadway resurfacing over the past 18 months.