Consultation over 'shared space' in

Woking has been extended by the council.

Surrey County Council councillors have

requested a review of the scheme, which allows cyclists to use

pedestrian areas in town, even though it was only made permanent in

September following an 18-month trial.

The move to extend the consultation has

come after much criticism from groups, such as Surrey Disabled

People's Partnership, representing disabled people on safety grounds.

The main complaint is that there would

be confusion over who would move first; pedestrians, cyclists and

motorists would all have to make eye contact with each other, which

will cause problems for those who are visually impaired or blind.

Two areas in specific are the subject

of this extended consultation - an area covering Town Square and

Gloucester Walk, and the other area covering Commercial Way and

Chobham Road.

Woking Borough Council are keen to push

this through as part of their Cycle Woking scheme, aiming to get more

people in the borough cycling.

The consultation, which was meant to

last six weeks, has now been extended until the 27th February.

What do you think of the 'shared space'

plans? Does it have safety hazards? What other ways should we

encourage people in the borough to cycle more? Leave a comment with

your thoughts.