Route 8 - the Badshot Lea Link
Route 8 - the Badshot Lea Link
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Latest updates in red.
Route 8, the Badshot Lea Link, is a mainly on-road route using Badshot Lea Road
(the B3208) to connect Badshot Lea to the out-of-town Sainsbury's superstore and,
via Monkton Road
and Route 2, to central Farnham.
Badshot Lea Road is generally level with a good surface but cyclists face
difficulties in two places:
To avoid the road narrowing over the railway, the Cycle Rights Network (Farnham)
proposes a westerly route taking cyclist off Badshot Lea Road
down Green Lane,
over the railway along Crown Lane and into Badshot Lea. This route is
quiet and attractive but because
Green Lane meets Badshot Lea Road near a tight corner it would be
inappropriate for cyclists travelling in the opposite direction because they
would have to across Badshot Lea Road with poor sight lines.
Instead, it is proposed that cyclists travelling south would follow the
Badshot Lea Road, diverting left of the road bridge on a dedicated foot-cycle
bridge.
The roundabout by the entrance to the Sainsbury's superstore could be made a lot
more cycle friendly by converting it to a
continental geometry i.e. by reducing
the roundabout approach and circulatory carriageway to a single lane. This
is a recommended, but sadly little used, way to reduce motor vehicle speeds,
give all roundabout users more time to judge traffic conditions and allow cyclist
better control of the traffic behind them.
As described above, the basic route already exists. Replacing the existing narrow foot bridge next to the Badshot Lea Road and converting the roundabout by the Sainsbury's superstore will require considerable funding. Improvements in the near future are unlikely unless developer funding becomes available.
