We are developing a plan for a strategic cycle network, providing routes between villages and towns, and linking the towns to towns outside Mole Valley. The objectives of the network are set out in a presentation here (900KB pdf download), and some routes appear below.

We have been pushing for a route between Westcott and Dorking for many years. The A25 as it leaves Westcott is very narrow and unsuitable for cycling, and the footpath is too narrow for shared use. Surrey County Council is supporting a plan to provide a new bridleway across fields to the north of the A25, linking St Johns Road to Milton Court, and thence to Miltoncourt Lane which has been improved. This will form part of NCN 22 which runs east-west across the county, crossing Mole Valley and providing links to Guildford and Epsom, most of which is already signed.

There is potential for a route from Dorking south towards Capel, through North Holmwood and making shared use of the footpath on the east side of the A25. Under the encroaching vegetation the footpath is generally wide enough for shared use, and continuous as far as Holmwood Corner.

There is a need for cycling links from the Epsom Road area to schools the other side of the M25 and beyond, and from Ashtead to Leatherhead. The Knoll roundabout is a barrier to all but experienced cyclists, though there could be space to add a cycle lane. An alternative is a route via Linden Pit Path, though that would involve changing the ramp up to the pedestrian bridge and raising the fencing on the bridge. Linden Pit Path itself has been recently been widened. More details of options (PDF 873KB)

Students cycling (and walking) to the Howard of Effingham School face a number of problems. For cyclists these include: poor quality cycle path along Lower Road, no cycle path along the A246 or Effingham Common Road and congestion at peak times. Our survey report (PDF 990KB) sets out the problems and some potential solutions.

Located on south-facing gently sloping ground to the west of West Dorking Station the site, featuring freestyle runs plus a race track, was established with the assistance of MVCF. It has been in use since about 2007, though drainage has been an ongoing problem.

The Surrey Safe Routes to Schools (SSRS) initiative is about improving the journey to school experience for those who are not driven to school, and to enhance conditions so that some of those who currently go by car will choose another form which causes less pollution, causes fewer traffic problems and makes the roads safer.

It is part of the national Safe Routes to Schools initiative which supports projects throughout the UK. These projects enable and encourage children to cycle and walk to school by improving street design, calming traffic, creating traffic-free spaces and linking with the National Cycle Network.

The SSRS website has information about progress in Surrey including information on individual schools. Included on the website are school travel plans. The SCC co-ordinator is David Sharpington.

In conjunction with SSRS we developed proposals for a route from the centre of Dorking to Ashcombe School, but this scheme is moribund at present.