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Muddy Lane

On 22nd July 2019, Mark Yeats an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed the Muddy Lane Map Modification Order.

This means that Muddy Lane is now a bridleway and can be used by cyclists.

In conjunction with Woking Cycle Users Group we made an application for this lane to be promoted from footpath to bridleway back in 2013.  It has taken over six years to get to this point and many people have made a small or large contribution to the process as it went along.  I’d like to thank everyone who helped by giving evidence.  It was the weight of evidence of use over the years that was a significant factor in the final decision.  The following paragraph from Mark Yeats summing up is testament to that:

For these reasons I conclude on the balance of probabilities that the dedication of a public bridleway at common law can be implied from the evidence of use and the conduct of the landowners prior to the erection of the no entry signs.

Muddy Lane is has become somewhat overgrown in recent years  but already, since the decision, some of the brambles have been cut back and is now usable by cyclists again.

Bike Ride

Our ride this month will be this weekend on Sunday 11th at 10:00am.

We meet outside the Hand & Spear pub near Weybridge Station, and the route will be about 45 kilometers on a mix of roads and a few paths with lunch at a Cafe in Great Bookham.

Our route will take us through Byfleet, Wisley and Effingham before a long but gentle climb up to Ranmore Common.  Passing Ranmore Church we drop down until we reach Chapel Hill which is short but sharp.  We will stop for lunch at a Cafe in Great Bookham and then head back via Bookham Common and Downside.

The full route map is here: https://www.strava.com/routes/20896286

The ride will be on a mix of roads and a few paths.  The total distance will be about 45km, which is around 27 miles.
If you want to come on the ride, you can just turn up.

Our next ride will be on Sunday 8th September.
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Bike Ride – Sunday 12th May 2019

Our ride this month will be this weekend on Sunday 12th at 10:00am.

We meet outside the Hand & Spear pub near Weybridge Station, and the route will be about 45 kilometers on a mix of quieter roads and cycle tracks with lunch at Polesden Lacey.

We will set off down Brooklands Road and Redhill Road, crossing under the A3 into Pointers Lane.  From there we proceed to Downside and across Bookham Common.  We then climb up through Effingham to Ranmore Common.  From there it’s a fun downhill followed by Chapel Hill by which time you will be ready for lunch at the National Trust cafe at Polesden Lacey.

The return will be via Fetcham, Stoke D’Abernon and Cobham.

The full route map is here: https://www.strava.com/routes/18815521

The ride will be on a mix of quieter roads and cycle tracks.  The total distance will be about 45km, which is around 28 miles.
If you want to come on the ride, you can just turn up.

There will be no ride in June.  Our next ride will therefore be on Sunday 14th July.

The Martian Race

Many of you will already know that I am helping to organise the Lions Martian Race this year.  It is a 5k, 10k and 21k race through the woodlands and heaths of Horsell Common on Sunday 30th June.  It is a great event and all proceeds will go to local charities including Woking and Sam Beare Hospices.

We are currently seeking volunteers to help with marshalling and other activities on the day.  If you would to help with this very worth cause then please send an email to me at racedirector@martianrace.org.  We would really appreciate as much help as we can get.

Consultation on cycle routes in the West Byfleet Area

I have received the following message from Highways England about potential cycle route improvements in the Byfleet and West Byfleet area.  This is separate from the planned improvements in the M25 / A3 junction area.

Atkins is working with Highways England on improving facilities for cyclists and pedestrians in the area around Junction 10 of the M25. We’re investigating four potential sets of improvements as outlined below. As we are seeking feedback from anyone with an interest in the development of the improvements, including cycle and pedestrian organisations, we’d like to hear your views on these potential improvements. In addition, we would welcome comments regarding what it’s like to walk and cycle on and near these routes.

Below is a summary of four projects we’d like you to comment on. The proposed routes are all illustrated here:

  • Scheme A: West Byfleet Station to RHS Garden Wisley.

A cycle route between RHS Garden Wisley and West Byfleet railway station via rural, suburban and town centre roads and streets, which would encourage visitors to Wisley gardens to cycle and/or travel by train.

  • Scheme B: Cobham to Painshill Junction.

An upgrade of the route that currently exists between the A307/A245 roundabout and the Painshill junction, tying in existing facilities to form a continuous route from Cobham to Ripley.

  • Scheme C: The A245 from Seven Hills Road to Chertsey Road, and the A318.

A cycle route along the A245 (Byfleet Road and Parvis Road) between Seven Hills Road and Chertsey Road plus a 290m section north from where the A245 meets Sopwith Drive (the A318) up to the junction at Brooklands Industrial Park.

  • Scheme D: B2215 Ockham Park Junction to Ripley.

Controlled crossings for pedestrians and cyclists on the B2215 at the Ockham Park junction are already proposed as part of the M25 J10 improvements. Our scheme considers additional controlled crossings beyond the Ockham Park junction into Ripley via the B2215.

This work is part of Highways England’s ‘Designated Funds’ programme. The objectives of the programme include:

  • maximising opportunities to deliver additional improvements as part of new road schemes
  • improving cycling facilities on, or near, the Highways England road network
  • reducing the impact of Highways England roads as a barrier to cycling

Whilst these routes and the Highways England M25 Junction 10 improvement scheme are separate projects, they have been chosen because they would enhance pedestrian and cyclist provision within the proximity of the junction 10 improvement scheme.  For more information on the junction 10 scheme, please see: https://highwaysengland.co.uk/projects/m25-junction-10-to-a3-wisley-interchange/

We would welcome the opportunity to meet with you along with other user groups to discuss the proposals or any related issues and answer any questions on the improvements.  We will be issuing a poll to determine convenient dates; if you are interested in attending please let us know and we will include you when the poll is issued.

Alternatively, you can share your views and comments by emailing us at info@highwaysengland.co.uk, telephone us on 0300 123 5000, or write to Mr Jonathan Wade, Project Manager, Highways England, Bridge House, 1 Walnut Tree Close, Guilford GU1 4LZ. Please give us your feedback by 24 May 2019. We look forward to hearing your views.
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Muddy Lane Public Enquiry resumes 6th February 2019

Owing to too many other commitments at the moment I am unable to lead a ride this month.

The next ride will be on Sunday 17th March.

Muddy Lane
The public enquiry for Muddy Lane resumes tomorrow.  It is being held at the Woking Borough Council Civic Offices, Gloucester Square, Woking, GU21 6YL starting at 10:00am. Depending on how many people wish to speak and any new issues that arise, the session may last for one or for two days.

All members of the public are entitled to speak at a public enquiry (that’s the whole purpose of them).  If you have used Muddy Lane at any time in the past and would like to speak then please come along tomorrow.

If you are interested in the proceedings but don’t want to speak you can also attend and listen to what happens.  The more people that attend the enquiry the more it shows public support for the change of status, so if you want to show support then I would encourage you to come along.

For sure there will be some discussion tomorrow about no-entry signs, the height of the bridge under the motorway, and possibly other new challenges might be submitted at the last minute as happened last time.  It will not be dull.

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Bike Ride – Sunday 9th December

Our ride this month will be Sunday 9th December at 10:00am, followed by Christmas Lunch, for those who have booked, at the Jolly Farmer.

We meet outside the Hand & Spear pub near Weybridge Station, and the route will be about 35 kilometers on a mix of main and quieter roads.

We will head out towards Hersham and Molesey before crossing Bushey Park as we aim for Strawberry Hill. From there we pick up the path through Crane Park until we reach the A316. Here we turn for home, taking the series of connecting paths that run parallel to the 316. In Sunbury we head for Walton Bridge and then the secret cyclepath back into Weybridge by about 1pm.

The full route map is here: https://www.strava.com/routes/16384908

For those that have booked (you know who you are) we will finish at the Jolly Farmer for a festive lunch.

The ride will be on a mix of quiet and busier roads and a few bits of cycle path. The total distance will be about 35km, which is around 20 miles.

If you want to come on the ride, you can just turn up.

Our next ride will be on Sunday 13th January.

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Bike Ride – Sunday 9th December – Xmas Lunch Ride

Our next ride, on Sunday 9th December, will be followed by our Christmas Lunch. As usual it will be at the Jolly Farmer in Princes Road, Weybridge.

The ride will start at 10am outside the Hand and Spear at Weybridge Station. It will finish at 1pm at the Jolly Farmer.

If you would like to come to the Christmas Lunch please let me know by Saturday 1st December so that I can confirm numbers with the restaurant. Please also let me know your food selection from the menu here.

Details of the ride route will be sent out, as usual, a few days before the ride. If you just want to come on the ride, but don’t want to stay for the Christmas Lunch, then you can just turn up on the day, there is no need to let me know.

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Bike Ride – Sunday 21st October 2018

Our ride this month will be this Sunday 21st, not as previously advised, last Sunday, because that was a washout.

So, this Sunday we will be joining up with the Woking Cycle User Group to visit Virginia Water and Windsor Great Park.

The ride will start later than usual at 1pm. We meet outside the Hand & Spear pub near Weybridge Station, and the route will be about 20 miles on a mix of roads and paths.

We will head out through Brooklands Park then pick up the Basingstoke Canal all the way into Woking where we will meet up with the Woking lot at 2pm. Sandra will then lead us to Virginia Water and on to Windsor Great Park where there will be a detour to see the Acers which should be in fine colours at this time of year. It’s anybody’s guess what the route back will be.

The ride will be on a mix of quiet and busier roads and a few bits of cycle path. The total distance will be about 35km, which is around 20 miles.

If you want to come on the ride, you can just turn up.

Our next ride will be on Sunday 11th November, and Sunday 9th December will be our usual Christmas Lunch ride.

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Bike Ride – Sunday 9th September

This Sunday we will be going to Virginia Water and Windsor Great Park.

The ride will start at 10:00am outside the Hand & Spear pub near Weybridge Station, and will be about 25 miles on a mix of roads and paths.

Our outbound route will take us through Virginia Water to Windsor Great Park. From there we head back towards Egham and Staines where we pick up the riverside towpath back to Weybridge via Chertsey Bridge. Lunch will be at a pub in either Egham or Staines, depending.

The full route is here: https://www.strava.com/routes/15368471

The ride will be on a mix of quiet and busier roads and a few bits of cycle path. The total distance will be about 40km, which is around 25 miles.

If you want to come on the ride, you can just turn up.

Our next ride will be on Sunday 14th October.

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All Day Ride – Sunday 12th August

This Sunday is our all day ride, we will be going to Henley-on-Thames.

The ride will start at 8:00am outside the Hand & Spear pub near Weybridge Station, and will be about 60 miles on a mix of roads and paths.

Our outbound route will take us through Virginia Water and Windsor Great Park and then past White Waltham airfield, over Knowl Hill and down into Henley.

The return leg will be via Remenham, Hurley, Maidenhead, Bray and Eton. I expect we will be back in Weybridge around 5 or 6pm.

The full route is here: https://www.strava.com/routes/14813618

The ride will be on a mix of quiet and busier roads and a few bits of cycle path. The total distance will be about 100km, which is around 60 miles.

If you want to come on the ride, you can just turn up.

Our next ride will be on Sunday 9th September.
George

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Bike Ride – Sunday 8th July

This Sunday our ride will feature a picnic and, optionally, a dip in the River Wey.

The ride will start at 10:00am outside the Hand & Spear pub near Weybridge Station, and will be about 20 miles on a mix of quiet roads and paths.

Starting from Weybridge we will head south along Redhill Road and then towards Downside. After crossing Bookham Common we will circle back through Effingham, East Horsley and Ripley until we reach the River Wey near Newark Priory.

We will stop here for a picnic. There are no facilities here so please bring everything you need. For anyone adventurous enough there’s a chance to paddle or swim in the river.

After a leisurely picnic break we will head back through Pyrford and Wisley where we will pick up the canal path back to Byfleet and finally Weybridge,

The full route is here: https://www.strava.com/routes/14176896

The route is on a mainly quiet roads and cycle paths. The total distance will be about 35km, which is around 20 miles.

If you want to come on the ride, you can just turn up.

Our next ride will be on Sunday 12th August. Weather permitting this will be an all day ride.

George

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Bike Ride – Sunday 10th June – Open Garden Squares

In a change to the scheduled programme, our next ride will be this Sunday, 10th June, not next Sunday.

We will be joining an organized cycle ride visiting gardens that are part of Open Garden Squares.

We will meet at the usual location outside the Hand & Spear at Weybridge Station, at 9:00am. That’s an hour earlier than normal.

We will ride to East Putney railway station where we will join up with an organized Open Garden Squares cycle ride starting at 10:30. This will visit five gardens on a meandering 15 mile route between Putney and Richmond. More details about the route are here: http://www.opensquares.org/2018/activities/cyclerides.php

The cost for Open Garden Squares is £15 if you buy on-line in advance. You can purchase a ticket on the day but it will be more expensive. Single tickets can be purchased here: https://opengardensquares.eventcube.io/events/9291/open-garden-squares-weekend-2018/ Or you can get two for the price of one here: https://www.timeout.com/london/shop/things-to-do-open-square-gardens-march-2018

The total ride distance, starting and finishing in Weybridge will be about 40 miles. We should be back in Weybridge by about 6:30pm.

If you want to come on the ride, you can just turn up but do try to buy a ticket for the gardens in advance.

Our next ride will be on Sunday 8th July.
George