Guildford to Godalming Greenway: about the scheme

Guildford to Godalming Greenway: about the scheme

About the scheme

Surrey County Council, Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils have all declared climate emergencies and therefore are keen to develop infrastructure to support non-motorised and low-carbon modes of travel. 46% of Surrey's climate emissions come from the transport sector. By switching to cycling and walking, especially for shorter trips, we can all contribute to reducing emissions whilst improving our health and wellbeing.

In line with this ambition, feasibility proposals are currently being developed for a 7km-long Greenway (cycling and walking route) between Guildford and Godalming. This project is being funded by National Highways Designated Funds.

The need for a cycle link between Guildford and Godalming has become well established to serve cyclists who are not comfortable cycling on busy roads. The distance and topography means that there is a high propensity to cycle between Guildford and Godalming. Some of the route proposed is already served by paths on which cycling as well as walking is permitted. However, the quality of the existing paths along this route is very poor in places. This scheme is looking to provide high-quality infrastructure for cycling and walking. The latest National Cycle Infrastructure Design Guidance (Local Transport Note 1/20) is being considered where feasible to inform design decisions on this scheme.

Key benefits:

• Enabling greater accessibility by active travel (cycling and walking) modes.
• Providing safer, more continuous, comfortable and attractive infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians.
• Benefits of more cycling and walking include: aiding the reduction of congestion, pollution and noise, and health and wellbeing benefits for users .

Next steps

• Following the completion of this consultation (consultation period ends 21 November 2021), the results will be analysed by the Project Team and they will inform the design proposals.
• Once the feasibility work has been fully progressed including design drawings, Surrey County Council may be in a position to submit a Business Case for funding for detailed design and construction. This may be for some or all elements of the proposals. National Highways Designated Funds is a funding source which would be targeted.