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Godalming - for many years there's been a plan to re-develop an area near the centre of this historic town. The triangle-shaped piece of land is imaginatively known as the 'Key Site', and used to be home to the gas works amongst others uses. Godalming Cycle Campaign, along with the Waverley Cycling Forum, recently had an opportunity to put forward well-reasoned ideas on how to incorporate cycle traffic into this important area. It's big enough to work as a community in its own right, and a proposal has been put together by a local developer which should be decided by mid - 2007.
Waverley has some information on this area which is interesting although a little dated.
Our suggestions included the following:
- It is important to take into account the recent influences of the Stern report on the economic consequences of climate change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and the Unicef report on children's well being.
- Use the basis of sustainable communities for design of the site.
- There is in practice only one opportunity to do a good job.
- Sustainability includes the need to maximise the opportunities for non-motorised transport.
- Critical details such as a fast response to pedestrians for traffic light barriers between the site and the rest of town should be included.
- We strongly suggest a green area in the centre, particularly for children to play.
- Put a cafe next to the green area, with a peppercorn rent to make it feasible - Sainsburys and Waitrose cafes effectively are subsidised.
- Establish and enforce 20mph speed limits throughout.
- Use the principle of long routes for cars, short routes for pedestrians and cycles.
- This approach is likely to maximise the medium and long term value of the development
- Include good communications with Godalming centre by creating a well designed underpass beneath the 'moat' of Flambard Way into the Waitrose car park.
Page last updated 13 March 2007 by Webmaster.
