Agenda item

Cycling in Windsor Great Park

To receive a verbal report by Gordon Oliver on the above titled item.

Minutes:

Gordon Oliver, Principal Transport Planner, outlined the above titled item. The Cycle Forum was reminded that the council had previously looked at the potential for a dedicated cycle route between Ascot and Windsor. This area is covered by Windsor Great Park which is a private park and part of the Crown Estate. Members were told that it is home to several endangered species with large areas protected by Special Areas of Conservation / Sites of Special Scientific Interest  which limited options for a cycle route.. Cyclists are allowed to use certain estate roads within the Great Park to travel between Ascot and Windsor and the Crown Estate had previously agreed that cyclists could use these roads during night time hours, which helped to improve safety for those who commuted through the dark winter months. However, it was noted that a Bracknell resident had been in contact to advise that they had faced challenge when cycling through the Great Park at night. After investigations it was found that the rights to cycle through the park during night time hours had now been rescinded. There was a proposal for a 40 mph speed limit supported by average speed cameras on Winkfirled Road / Mounts Hill through the Great Park and that Crown Estate were supportive of this. However, it was recognised that this was inferior to a segregated cycle route and it was questioned if there would be sufficient benefit to justify the cost of the cameras and ongoing enforcement. Any enforcement action would be undertaken by Thames Valley Police, but they had not indicated if they would support the proposal.

 

Members of the forum expressed their disappointment at the decision to rescind permission for cyclists to cut through the Great park at night. A member of the Forum highlighted that the closest similar route was located by Legoland and that this had proved incredibly dangerous for cyclists. It was noted that two cyclists had lost their lives on this road. The Chair highlighted that previous interaction with the deputy park ranger had proved difficult with little resolution. Councillor Yong expressed surprise that cars were preferred to cycles considering the Great Park was considered as an area of specific scientific interest and that there was significant importance placed upon conservation across the specific area. She went on to highlight other areas where cycling was permitted in forests that could be a template for the Crown Estate. However, she did concede that the Great Park was a victim of its own success with walkers / dog-walkers / cyclists often in conflict. Members discussed the encumbrances faced by the deputy park ranger and felt that a dedicated cycle route would be very well received by cyclists in the area.

 

(Councillor Beer declared that he had a personal interest, but that he had served as a ward and parish councillor of the area in relation to this item. Councillor Beer stated that he has a working relationship with the Deputy Park Ranger but that this did not prejudice his ability to contribute to the discussion.)