Frequently Asked Questons
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Frequently Asked Questons |
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The FCN is a network of routes which is planned to augment the existing roads and by-ways, providing safe, convenient and pleasant bicycle access to central Farnham from the outling districts. Strategic through routes along the A325 and A31 corridors are also planned to link Farnham up to Guildford, Aldertshot, Alton and Petersfield. Improvements to cycle parking facilities in the town centre and in the surrounding communities are also planned.
Like many thriving towns, Farnham is beset by traffic congestion in its centre and along the main roads. The town is also bisected by the A31 dual-carriageway and the railway which run east-west and effectively separate south Farnham from central / north Farnham. These problems must be addressed if people are to feel more confident about cycling around town. Those with cars should be encouraged to make more journeys by bicycle and those without cars should have greater freedom to travel. To achieve these aims:-
links are needed to reconnect the two halves of Farnham;
strategic routes are required to provide cyclists an alternative to travelling directly along the busy main roads;
provision has to be made for cyclists to get safely and conveniently around the congested town centre.
Cycle lanes (on-road), cycle tracks and mixed use paths are all
planned. Much of the planned cycle network links up traffic free
byways which are not just safer than busy road alternative but also
provide convenient short cuts. As such they should lure people into
making more commuter, shopping and leisure trip by bicycle (instead of
the car) and improve the travelling experience of those who already cycle.
Route 1 is a perfect example of this. Starting in the south of Wrecclesham,
it travels along Weydon Lane as a cycle track linking two schools, passes
over the railway then crosses the A31 bringing users onto the virtually traffic
free Red Lion Lane and into the south of the town centre.
For information on the make up of each route, please see the
Cycle Routes
section.
Two reasons: space and access. The streets in the town centre are simply too narrow to accommodate the current levels of through traffic and the number of pedestrians on the narrow pavements so there is no space for cycle routes. The other point is that with every shop a potential destination, cyclists need safe and convenient use of the whole road width and cycle lanes simply will not address this. Currently cyclists in the one way system are caught between cars haphazardly jockeying for position and pedestrians stepping off the pavements without looking. The solution is to give pedestrians the space they deserve (particularly in the Borough and Downing Street) and to rationalise the flow of cars and lorries. For this reason, the Cycle Rights Network (Farnham) strongly supports the measures in the Farnham Movement Package to widen footways, improve the use of traffic lights and remove the chicanes caused by unloading vehicles blocking lanes willy-nilly.
Yes! Feedback and suggestions are needed from cyclists (and pedestrians) who travel in and around Farnham. The current plans must work 'on the ground' for those who will use them and our goal should be to improve cycle provision through out Farnham on an on-going basis. Any suggestions, from a drop kerb near a bridleway to a complete new route, are welcome. If you are really keen to help then join the group or become a Route Ranger.
Route Rangers are volunteers willing to take 'ownership' of a particular route. Typically this would not involve more than an hour a week of your time and should cover a route near you or that you use regularly and would like to see improved. As a Route Ranger you would be responsible for:-
mapping out the route in detail;
working on the design and specific measures with the local authorities;
monitoring contruction and
make regular maintenance inspections of the finished route.
The Cycle Rights (aka Right to Ride) Network is the campaign wing of the Cycle Touring Club. The local Farnham group aims to canvas opinions from all interested cyclist clubs and groups. Currently Cycle Rights Network (Farnham) includes official representatives from Friends of the Earth Farnham, the Farnham Road Club and the Farnham Local Agenda 21 group. We also maintain good cross border links with the East Hampshire, Rushmoor and Mole Valley Cyclists' Fora.