GET INVOLVED
Surrey County Council is preparing to develop a Local Cycle and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) for Waverley Borough. This plan would allow Surrey to bid to the Department for Transport for Active Travel Funding to create and improve the infrastructure for cycling, walking and mobility access across our borough. The Plan would also be used by Waverley Borough Council when assessing planning applications.
Before Surrey commissions the development of this Local Cycle and Walking Infrastructure Plan, they are reaching out to local communities to tap into the local knowledge and expertise of organisations like the Cranleigh Civic Society.
What is your opinion? How strongly do you feel? Waverley Officers really need help with their work to put the case for Waverley, and therefore Cranleigh.
Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce propose that the Downs Link should be made up to a standard that makes it safe for wheelchairs as well as making it more likely that cyclists will use it instead of their cars.
The Downs Link – the old railway line – is an adopted right of way for pedestrians, cyclists and horses. Surrey County Council have previously stated that there aren’t enough people who would want to commute from Cranleigh to Guildford to warrant paying for the railway to come back, and even if that changes, the right of way must be maintained for pedestrians, cyclists and horses.
We look forward to hearing from you – comment below, email in reply, or write to Cranleigh
I believe that the Downs Link would be great for family walks as well as some commuters if it were less muddy in the winter and had some sensitive lighting. Land owners could be encouraged to help widen and ensure good maintenance.
Improvement to the surface in some areas to help drainage would be good.
Increase in lighting would not be beneficial to the natural environment. Light disrupts feeding patterns for insects/bats We need to be reducing light pollution.
Please add your own comments on this and we will forward them to Waverley Borough Council. Trevor Dale Chair Cranleigh Civic Society
The Downs link is a superb , level , interesting ,accessible route that enables a safe really enjoyable and healthy opportunity to exercise and observe the countryside and local wildlife . The one draw back is that it becomes less so during the winter due to the very muddy parts of the path . Some upgrading would be really appreciated and highly beneficial.
We in the UK have an awful long way to go to catch up with our continental colleagues to encourage other means of transport and reduce car usage. The cycle paths in existence are still car centric. For example the cycle path along the A24 from Dorking to Box Hill is very good but cyclists have to give way to cars coming in or out from private entrances! It should be the other way round. Other examples of cycle paths have ‘street furniture’ in the middle of the path, e.g. telegraph poles. Or they just end and cyclists have to re-join the road. I cycled from Munich to Lake Garda – a distance of 300 miles – and 80% was on good quality cycle paths keeping cyclists and cars separate and safe.
I would suggest those people in Surrey Council go to Holland, Denmark, Germany and Austria to see what they do and the standard we need to get to. Otherwise it is just a box ticking exercise from our local council. “Cycle path installed from A to B” Tick.
There is no paved lit way via Elmbridge Rd into Cranleigh
This is despite the building of 2 new housing developments in this part of the village
Perhaps one of our parish councillors would be kind enough to inform us how many people this affects in this area
This lack of paved path with no lights influences the choice of access to the town for most people and older children in this area
The verge by the side of the road over the bridge crossing the downs link is not regularly maintained and at present is has expose drops from it
This is with increased traffic flow from housing development and construction traffic
Surely Surrey County council need to address this before improving leisure pathways
Firstly, a question please. What does it mean by an adopted right of way, adopted by whom? Secondly, as a regular pedestrian on the Downs Link Way I would say there are definitely areas which require repair / restoration by whoever has that responsibility. Not all of it but some sections definitely need attention.
land adopted by the local council – in this case Surrey County Council – means they have a duty to maintain it safely
David frequently walks along the downs link from the Elmbridge end into different parts of Cranleigh and in the opposite direction towards Bramley.
From the Elmbridge end to Cranleigh it’s pretty muddy and wet in parts during Winter and after wet weather and is narrowed due to the encroachment of grass etc. Would it be possible to improve this while still maintaining the corridor to encourage wildlife. From Elmbridge towards Bramley, it’s a beautiful walk, but with quiet deep mud in some places it is not accessible to all. Cycling is also to be encouraged but many people avoid using the downs link as cylclists rush past them and they find this quite intimidating- some elderly people and especially those who are fragile, young or old. Can we also consider that more wheelchair users and scooter users could enjoy the downslink if it was accessible to them. We enjoy a wheel amongst nature too. Thank you.
The Downs Link is an incredible resource which should be put to much greater use. I have cycled on ex-railway tracks elsewhere in the UK and they have a good surface which attracts commuters, families with children on small bikes, mobility scooters and wheelchairs. A good surface would ecourage commuters, attract visitors to the area, offers opportunities for picnic areas, cycle hire businesses and cafes along the route. The Downs Link provides an off-road route from Guildford to Shoreham with the section from Bramley to Rudgwick having some of the worst surfaces. It is impossible for small bikes to use this section in winter and for other cycle users to travel without arriving splattered with mud. We should all support any initiative to improve the Downs Link – it could become a great local resource.
The beauty of the Downs Link is the rural aspect and peaceful escape from the village. I feel it would be a shame to ‘Urbanize’ this quite walk that is being enjoyed by more an more people.
We did have a loyal team of volunteers and I agree with the previous comment, let’s do the job ourselves. We are in the country and used to getting our walking boots muddy on occasions.
I have said before that the DL does not need to be tarmac – this would spoil it for the many who enjoy its rural qualities. But there are certain places where it would benefit from improved ditch maintenance, more frequent trimming of the encroaching side growth and some rolled in hardcore where perma-mud develops in the winter. As a commuting route to Guildford the section that needs some thought is the Guildford end – between the junction with the A281 and the start of the Shalford Cycle Path. At the moment the choice is between the tricky path behind the cemetery and the church, the bumpy towpath and the busy road. none of which are great. Some discreet lighting in Bramley and Cranleigh may be useful for pedestrians. Cycle commuters are likely to have powerful lights of their own for the rural bits.
Thanks David, some discreet lighting through the villages is worth considering but others have made comments about light pollution.
I believe that an improved Downs link would be a very useful alternative route for Cycling commuters, leisure cycling, walking, horse riding and wheelchair users particularly between Cranleigh and Guildford. If the surface was more consistent and well drained and made wider in places and maintained it would be a much safer and convenient shared route for all users.
Where the Downs link crosses the A281 South of Cranleigh it needs a clear warning signs and an efficient, illuminated chicane on each side of the road to ensure that all users stop and take care crossing the road.
Thanks for the comments Chris, especially about the Downs Link crossing of the A281 southeast of Rudgwick. Some may remember there was a fatality of a cyclist a while ago. Sussex County Council are talking of a big expensive bridge but we believe a more immediate safety measure should be put in now.
The Downs Link needs some TLC. It’s a great asset to Cranleigh for walking and other recreational activities. It would be a benefit if the surface was carefully upgraded to include all users.
I would also hope that due consideration will be given to improving the varied wildlife habitats along the route.
Thanks Wendy – good point about habitats
The Downslink is like an ‘A’ road for pedestrians & cyclists – It’s great but needs ‘B’ roads coming off it to link the new developments and other areas.
I like this comment, thank you. What we also need is an overall understanding of how much use our village would make of such paths if upgraded. Any ideas?
In my 30 + years of working with the Conservation Volunteers on the Downslink, the most common complaint from users has been the poor surface condition. I am certain that a good surface would encourage more people to use it, particularly in winter. Even in summer, the mud in a wet spell can be daunting.
I would not welcome lighting, as this can be disruptive to wildlife – from mammals to moths. I agree that a link from the A281 crossing near Bramley, to the start of Dagley Lane, at Shalford is needed to complete the connection to Guildford.
I walk from Cranleigh into either Guildford or Godalming once a week for exercise. Shooting from the hip would like to make a few observations: a) path is currently under utilised by both pedestrians and cyclists. Fear it is mainly used by short distance dog walkers and longer distance joggers- runners during the week. Only rarely see horse riders on the path. b) at weekends fear it is primarily used by cyclists originating outside the Waverley area – in summer these can often be quite large groups circa 5 plus riders. Would this be budget spent on encouraging non residents to use facility? c) find walking awkward (if not dangerous) when cyclist pass by on narrow pathway….they generally travel at some speed and approach from behind without or little warning (ie no bell). Likely an improved path will exacerbate this? d) this is currently a decent countryside walk, tranquil with pastural ambience and scenery – do we really want to improve surface with tarmac and consequently utilisation to the point where we loose these aspects. Money would be better spent on improving cycle routes and access on the existing roadways? e) I am constantly reminded of the under utilisation of the Cranleigh-Ewhurst (Alan Young) cycle path that cost £325K and is ignored by cyclists in the main and barely used by pedestrians. Here endth the lesson.
I think it must be upgraded, but it would need to be maintained.
Anyone in Cranleigh could easily cycle to Guildford with an electric bike.
It’s under used currently as it’s unusable for commuting apart from the dry summer months. I can’t cycle to work on it as I’d arrive covered in mud. I use the road instead, which is very stressful in comparison.
I use the Downs Link almost every day to walk to work from Elm Park to the village centre. At this time of year it is dark and I have to use a torch, both in the morning and late afternoon, so some low level lighting would be great. I am sure those who use it regularly in the spring and summer would continue you use it at other times if there were lights and the surface was all weather.
The route is shared with cyclists, which is OK, but it could be greatly improved if it was wider, to separate pedestrians and cyclists. This would also make the route accessible to people using wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Whatever is done, the vegetation on either side will need regular maintenance to stop it encroaching on the path, as it does now.
Finally, any improvements should extend beyond the Downslink to Elmbridge Road, Alfold Road, Elm Park and new new Willowbrook Estate. At present, this section is not safe or suitable for everyone who would like to use it on foot, bike etc.
Use the Downslink regularly for cycling. It would benefit from a better surface for cyclist and pedestrians. However, I think health and safety has to be a serious consideration. There are cyclists who travel at speed along the route. Speed will increase as the surface allows. E-Cyclist and pedal cyclist need separating from pedestrians by the pathway designed to allow pedestrian a safe and stress free experience while improving conditions for cyclist. This could be delivered by way of a rough surface that would be comfortable for walking but encouraging cyclist to use a smooth cycle lane on the other half of the path.
I believe S106 monies have been allocated for Downslink improvement via developer contributions from the Developments in Cranleigh connecting to the Downslink. Maybe the CS could consider looking into these contributions that may already be available.
For those who wonted Downslink connection from the new sites. Some sites have already installed pathways to the edge of the Downslink. I believe Developers are responsible for funding pathways on their land to the Border of the Downslink.
My wife and I (occasionally together with our grandchildren) cycle the Downslink for recreation – but not as often as we would like because of the muddy sections in winter and the narrow path overgrown by nettles and brambles in the summer. An improved surface and some summer maintenance would be very welcome and no doubt would encourage more users and more frequent use.
I’m not in favour of lighting – it would be disturbing to wildlife and, I guess, would be expensive to intall and to maintain in working order.
Could Sustrans get involved to offer advice on potential improvements?
I live just off Elmbridge Road and regularly use the downs link for walking my dog and riding my bike into the village. It encourages me to cycle rather than use my car but does get very muddy after heavy rain. I agree it could be made wider for safety reasons and a hard surface would be beneficial for walkers and riders. I don’t know who is responsible for the maintenance of the path but it is not done regularly and it could do with a litter/poo bin at the junction near the Alfold Road exit which is always busy with pedestrians, runners, cyclists and dog walkers.
I used to live here, moved to Tweed Valley in Scottish Borders a few years ago. We have a the most amazing tarmac path down our old railway line running 8 miles from Walkerburn to Peebles. It has huge use by cyclists, walkers and horses. It makes up part of the NC1 Sustrans route. I have always been so grateful for this resource and often wondered why the Cranleigh to Guildford route is not made the same as it would encourage so many folk to cycle to Guildford and reduce traffic. Having run on the trail in dec the mud was crazy. The project was funded by Sustrans, council and transport Scotland I believe.
When on holiday in the UK we take out bicycles to make use of the excellent cycle trails along the old railway routes which exist in other parts of the country. We have cycled on excellent trails in Devon (Barnstable to Exeter), The Tissington and High Peak trail in the Peaks, Marriots Way in Norfolk and many more. These trails can be cycled by children and families and create opportunities for commuting, leisure, visitor attraction and business enterprise through renting bicycles and providing refreshment stops. The Downs Link fails in almost all of these respects and as a consequence is an under utilised resource which has the potential to provide enormous benefits to the area. It is badly in need of investment to maximise its potential for recreation, commuting and business opportunity.
I ride the DL regularly between its two crossings of the A281. I often meet children and families, and commuters, and I use it for shopping access to Guildford as well as leisure riding. It is also a key element in several long distance events and routes. If you want to hire a bike this can be done in Southwater. A pub near Cranleigh that was on the DL closed a few years ago – no trade, though Cranleigh itself and other villages offer refreshment opportunities. I agree that there are places where the surface could be improved to reduce the development of muddy patches, but some of us like it just as it is!
All the new developments adjacent the Downslink footpath/bridleway in Cranleigh (Longhurst, Berkeley, Hewitts etc) pledged S106 contributions towards surfacing the Downslink. I think it’s reasonable to ask WBC where has this S106 money gone and why is another local authorities looking to claim funding again for the same project.