Carole’s October Blog

Dear All,

We want to thank Karen for setting a fun quiz last month. She had questions we were to answer from a ride she led on. A good time was had by all! Especially me since I won!!!

And then the sad news was that our all day ride had to be cancelled due to the inclement weather. Our leader Barbara, asked that we have the all day ride next year in July….guess she thinks the weather should be better then! Anyway after all her preparation, I am sorry it had to be cancelled.

Sunday 20 October will be our last Sunday ride till next March. Norman will be leading the ride to see the acers in Windsor Great Park. We will be leaving from near the children’s playground in Woking Park at 2:00 sharp. The ride will be a few miles longer than our usual 15 miles but not too many. If you need to contact Norman on the day, his mobile number is 07761221310. Don’t forget to bring a spare inner tube for your bike should it be needed.

On to other news.I received an email that was a bit of a surprise to me. I quote “ There is a project to build a new pedestrian and cycle bridge by Chobham Road. The bridge will connect the two separated sides of the canal towpath at the Chobham Road junction.

Hopefully this is a good news story, as the project aims to improve accessibility for all users of the canal towpath. I have attached an artist’s impression of the bridge and a plan showing the proposed towpath closure and diversion routes.

In summary, the existing towpath ramp by Kingswood Court will be upgraded and a new pedestrian and cycle bridge will span the canal alongside Chobham Road. A new ramp / towpath on the south side, behind the Lightbox, will pass under the road bridge linking up existing towpaths on either side of the road. Creating an uninterrupted towpath will remove the need for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the busy road junction.

The bridge design is aimed to follow the characteristics of the surrounding area, featuring gabion walls (stone filled baskets), a non-slip surface, steel handrails with built-in bat friendly lighting and associated landscaping.

Planning permission was granted on 24 September and works are expected to begin next month, commencing with a fish rescue and dewatering of the canal between the bridges at Lockfield Drive/Victoria Way and Monument Road. Re-watering the canal is scheduled by the end of March 2020. Basingstoke Canal Authority are part of the project team.

During construction works, a short section of the towpath between The Living Planet Centre and Brook House Common will be closed (map attached). There may also be short periods of highway disruption to allow materials and equipment in and out of the site. Weather permitting, it is expected the new footbridge will be open to the public by summer 2020.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding this project.

Best Regards,Mark Tabner |

Project Manager (Place)”

I am still trying to find out if this email is for real!

Meanwhile, Daniel Williams sent an email a few weeks regarding Muddy Lane. To quote” I have returned from a meeting to discover from the Secretary of State that Mr Salaman and Mr Garland have appealed (dated 19th September) against the Inspector’s decision for Muddy Lane. I know nothing more than this. I will pursue them to see how we find out what their case is and what the likely timescales are. For now I consider the Order confirmed and a Bridleway in place, we should treat it as such for the time being. I shall continue to make plans for signposting, and any clearance and enforcement works required. Please pass on this information to anyone who might be interested.” At least we have the right to use it now.

Our usual pub night will be 29 October at the Sovereigns pub on Guildford road starting at 7:30.

Hope to see you there.

Happy cycling,

Carole Frost

WCUG membership secretary