To receive information on the Ascot to Windsor Cycle Route.

The Principal Transport Policy Officer stated that the need for a cycle route from Ascot to Windsor was punctuated by the death of a cyclist on Winkfield Road. There were existing road links through the Great Park but there was no lighting provision for cyclists and during the winter months, it was not pleasant for cyclists during the darker mornings and evenings. The Principal Transport Policy Officer confirmed he did not know the details of the fatality other than a car drove into the back of the cyclists.

The Principal Transport Policy Officer stated that when cars drove from Ascot to Windsor, they passed through Bracknell Forest Council so, his team had partnered up with them to look at solutions. There were four routes through Windsor Great Park and at present it was a long route to get to Ascot and cyclists exit through Ascot Gate. The Great Park was subject to special areas of conservation and the number of visitors to the Park had increased which made it increasingly difficult to cater for the needs of cyclists and pedestrians. There were also rules in place for cyclists which meant groups of cyclists could not exceed six members at a time.

The Crown Estate had said they would not increase the number of cycle routes in the park and there were a number of issues using highway verges as it was not possible to get the correct width on parts of the routes. Routes would need to be lit but, it was not possible to do that either due to the route being in a conservation area; the lack of lighting would make it fail a safety audit.

What was thought to be highway land on Winkfield Road turned out to be Crown Estate. The Crown Estate recognised the challenges faced by cyclists and had agreed to open up routes through the Great Park at night time. The Principal Transport Policy Officer confirmed that it was unfortunate that he was unable to find a scheme for the Ascot to Windsor cycle route that worked. he added that the accident took place on the northbound carriageway which was Crown Estate land.

Cllr Yong stated that it came back to the fact that Heathrow was expanding with an additional 40,000 people working there, there were significant air pollution issues and the Great Park would rather have drivers through the Park and not cyclists. She did not think the Crown Estate were realising the impact; plus there were over 700 home proposed to be built up by Lapland UK. There had been a petition regarding cycling through the Park and the Crown Estate had gotten very upset by it and the petition had to be withdrawn. There had been over 1,000 signatures included on the petition. The Chairman added that the Crown Estate refused to acknowledge the petition and said it was inappropriate. The Principal Transport Policy Officer reminded Members that Windsor Great Park was private land and although there were ways of buying private land, the benefit versus the costs was not realistic. The costs were estimated at £2m to get from Windsor to Ascot and would not have been feasible as it would have been very difficult to get the funding and the numbers did not stack up. Cllr Yong commented that if the Crown Estate could add a cycle lane at the side of the road, ir would increase the numbers cycling phenomenally. Cllr Beer stated it would be extremely expensive but some things were worthwhile. The Chairman commented that he did not know what the Borough could do if the Deputy Ranger would not even accept a petition which was submitted by members of the public. He added the Borough would keep the option open but there was very little that could be done to change the Crown Estate’s view on the matter.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Members of the Cycle Forum noted the contents of the report.