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| Gathering public views on proposed new canal bridge |
Much of my time in recent weeks has been taken up with the proposed new bridge over the Basingstoke Canal from Brewery Road car park to the town centre. Plans for this bridge first appeared when WWF applied to build new offices on the car park site. The WWF planning application included few details of the bridge but did show a lengthy ramp from the car park to the bridge. The length of the ramp was said to be dictated by requirements of the DDA (Disability Discrimination Act). This Act does require a gentle slope, and it is important the requirement is met, but the main reason for the long ramp is the raised height of the proposed new bridge. The whole reason for this height is to give WWF direct access to their offices which will be on stilts above the car park at a ground floor level..
It seems that the bridge is designed for the convenience of WWF not for local residents and visitors to Woking.
As more plans for the bridge have emerged over recent weeks residents have raised concerns about the height of the bridge and the inconvenient ramp.
Concern has also been expressed at first sight of designs for the bridge. It has been variously described as looking like a motorway bridge and as an insult to the cricketing Bedser twins who it is planned to name it after.
Conservative response to new bridge plans
The Conservatives who run Woking Council have shown a reluctance to engage local residents in plans for the new bridge and have only finally given in to and allowed for a sham consultation after much local pressure.
Conservatives have refused to discuss the height of the bridge and the lengthy ramp saying that the public had chance to have their say at the planning stage.
One Executive member said "We don't want a beautiful bridge" and that eyes won’t be drawn to the bridge but to the statues of the cricketing Bedser twins on either side of the bridge. This councillor lives on the other side of town so he may not see the bridge very often. However those of us who live in Horsell or Goldsworth Park or Knaphill or St Johns; visitors to the Lightbox, theatre and cinema goers may well see the bridge quite regularly.
Timeline
I set out below a timeline of events from when I first saw the full design and plans for the bridge and shared information with local residents.
4 Sept Settled down to read Woking Council Exec papers on my return from holiday. Shocked by the design of bridge that does not fit its surroundings; disappointed to see no change in the height of the bridge and lengthy ramp leading up to the bridge for cyclists and pedestrians with prams, wheelchairs or mobility buggies who prefer not to use the lift.
Post link to council executive papers on Twitter and email link to various interested parties including Horsell Residents Association.
5 Sept Raise my concerns with Shadow Executive colleagues at meeting. Concerns are shared and we discuss how such a mediocre bridge can cost so much.
7 Sept In the face of growing resident concerns send email to Leader of Council asking that item on bridge is deferred to allow for public consultation. No response received.
8 Sept Arrive at Council Executive meeting to find extra paper tabled to justify going ahead with the bridge. This is obviously my response from the Leader, though he has not replied directly to my email. At the beginning of the meeting I am told I cannot speak on design of bridge because that was part of WWF planning application (I live very close to the car park where WWF offices are to be built). As the bridge design, save for the long ramps was not shown in the planning application I find this rather strange.
During the meeting I am told the bridge is all decided, that there was lots of consultation and that all processes have been followed (and boxes ticked no doubt).
The general consensus from the Conservative Executive is that I am being silly to raise this issue because it is all determined and there is nothing more to be said. One councillor says that Woking Cycle Forum did not raise concerns about the ramp to the bridge. I don't think this is correct (and confirm this later - see below).
The Executive appear to be satisfied that Woking's cost contribution to the bridge is capped at 750K. Nothing else seems to matter to them. I am pleased that WWF are at last making a contribution but it is not a substantial part of the total cost.
12/9 Learn that bridge recommendation are not going to Council in October but to a special Council meeting, scheduled only to sign off the accounts, on 22 September.
Discuss next steps with residents.
14/9 Attend Woking Cycle User Forum as WBC representative. Group confirms they raised concerns about the height of the bridge and the length of the ramp. Paul Fishwick, who was programme manager for Cycle Woking confirms he submitted a formal objection to the planning application.
Cyclists are keen to get something done, for those with bikes but also people pushing prams and those in wheelchairs and mobility scooters. A petition is suggested but there won't be time to do this before the Council meeting.
Continue to take on-board resident’s concerns
19/9 Liberal Democrat Group meeting backs me on opposing the new bridge plans
21/9 Attend Horsell Residents Association and hear the concern of this group
22/9 Submit amendment to paper on the proposed new bridge, trying again to get the Conservative run Council to consult residents.
Horsell Residents Association representatives meet WWF and state very strongly their concerns about the bridge proposals.
At Council meeting in the evening my amendment requesting consultation is rejected by the Conservatives. The ruling group come up with a plan for a “sham consultation” and agree to accept “public representations” on plans for the bridge
23/9 Having heard nothing about how public representations are to be collected I raise the matter with the Chief Executive and am told a display and feedback forms are being prepared and should be at several places in the town by the following Thursday
24/9 A concerned residents lets me know she is setting up a petition to Woking Council calling for the bridge to be retained at its current height – sign up here
30/9 Still no sign of anything to collect public representations so I wrote to the Leader of the Council.
1/10 With several concerned residents we set up a table to collect petition signatures and resident feedback plans in Brewery Road car park. There is an amazing response from worried residents and 482 signatures are collected.
Receive a reply from the Leader of the Council telling me all will be in place from Monday. Displays and feedback forms will be set up at the Lightbox, Council offices and Peacocks shopping centre. There will also be collection boxes for completed forms at the Lightbox and council offices. A web page will also be available.
2/10 Receive an update from the Council. Planners feel a further drawing is required from WWF’s architects and this will delay collection of “public representations”, probably until Thursday
3/10 Woking Cycle User Group meet with WWF to raise their concerns. WWF say they were not aware of issues over the ramp. (I raised the issue with them when I first saw the plans!!)
4/10 Residents collect more petition signatures in Brewery Road car park
Next Steps
8/10 Collecting signantures and feedback in Brewery Road car park - come and join us.
20/10 Next Council meeting.
28/10 Closing date for receipt of "public representations".
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