New path from Weybridge Station to Brooklands
Final piece of the jig saw! New pedestrian and cycle path from Weybridge Station to Brooklands
On the 15th July the first new significant provision for pedestrians and cyclists in Weybridge was opened near Brooklands Community Park! After years of hard work from so many people a path now joins the public footpaths from Weybridge Station to those to Brooklands – giving off-road access to MBW and Brooklands Museum and reducing the time taken by foot and bike.
The new path goes under 7 Arches Bridge along side the west side of the River Wey. This final part of the path has taken 5 years of hard work and was lead by former St George’s Hill ward councillor Peter Harman.
We congratulate all involved in the latest phase of the project – especially Peter Harman, Ian Gayton, Parks and Recreation Manager at Elmbridge Borough Council and David Morris of Network Rail.
This route has been high on the Weybridge Society priority list for almost 20 years and we have supported proposals in discussions with MBW, Network Rail, Elmbridge Borough Council and Surrey County Council. The paths to the boundary of the former racetrack were built with Mercedes Benz World and it has taken many years to get the route completed. The Society has lobbied for recognition of the public right of way through the Dell (shown as an additional ‘pedestrian route’ on the map), for maintenance on the paths and for MBW to support the path and include it in their travel plan. All paths shown on the map are suitable for pedestrians; the Dell path is not suitable for cyclists.
For the last 5 years Peter Harman and Elmbridge Borough Council have been negotiating with Network Rail to make the final link between the paths and complete the off road route from the station to Brooklands - for access to the stores, Brooklands Museum, Mercedes Benz World and the Community Park. The works on the final link were carried out by Elmbridge Borough Council. The route provides for staff and visitors to Brooklands to walk and cycle off-road from the Station and will contribute to reduced car traffic to MBW and Brooklands Museum.
We will now be asking Surrey to publicise the new route on the interactive maps and cycle and footpath publications. Elmbridge Borough Council are hoping to arrange ‘healthy walks’ on the new path later in the summer.
Weybridge Society Transport Panel
15th July 2010
16th Jul 2010
