Surrey County Council has launched a new tool that allows residents to submit ideas on how the Council can improve the road infrastructure in their area to promote more walking and cycling.
The tool, an interactive map, also enables residents to see suggestions made by other residents and can in turn vote on them. Although it won't be possible to deliver all of the ideas put forward by Surrey residents, Surrey County Council has recently submitted a bid to the Department for Transport for £7.8 million of funding within Surrey.
The bid is for money allocated to the county from the Emergency Active Travel Fund – designed to provide alternatives to public transport, and encourage people to continue with the higher levels of walking and cycling that have occurred since lockdown.
Cllr Matt Furniss, Cabinet Member for Transport, said:
“We want to harness the opportunity to support people in continuing the good habits they’ve developed during lockdown. Walking and cycling more has real benefits to physical and mental health. And if we can help people to leave the car at home for shorter journeys, we can also ease congestion and improve air quality in Surrey.
“Residents know their local areas best so it makes sense for us to ask people for their input. I hope we are awarded the funding so we can deliver the projects and support people to make more journeys on foot or by bike.”
Transport Secretary and Minister for the Northern Powerhouse, Grant Shapps added:
"To make sure people can travel safely when they need to, we are increasing capacity on buses and light rail, as well as helping local authorities fast-track plans to support cyclists and pedestrians, further reducing pressure on our transport network."
