FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSQ. Why is the island called Fishwick Island?A. The island is called Fishwick Island as it is named after the person with all the answers, a Mr Paul Fishwick from Surrey County Council.Q. Why has the island been dumped in the middle of the filter lane into Brookwood at a notoriously badly designed junction?A. Good question, and is one which we are all waiting on an answer for.Q. Good answer, but really, why?A. From the horse's mouth:"The island has been installed as part of the "Cycle Woking" programme, funded by Cycling England. It enables cyclists and pedestrians using the recently-upgraded Basingstoke Canal towpath to cross Bagshot Road without having to divert to the traffic signals at the crossroads, where it can take quite a while to cross each half of the carriageway. The new island is on the "desire line" of cyclists and pedestrians, as it is halfway between the towpath to the west of Bagshot Road and the newly-resurfaced path to the east of Bagshot Road. (There is a level path here, just north of the garage, which allows cyclists/pedestrians to avoid the flight of steps). The island has been installed where the right turn lane into Brookwood begins to develop, so should not interfere with traffic flows. In fact, now that the white lining is complete, it should help to indicate more clearly where motorists intending to turn right should begin to move over into the right turn lane. Observations at the junction and relating to the right turn lane have not indicated any changes since the island was introduced, with the normal zero to two vehicles waiting for the filter on each phase of the signals." Mr Paul Fishwick Cycle Woking Programme Manager Q. That's a load of patronising rubbish isn't it?A. Yes, we think so, and the design shows a total lack of understanding of the traffic movements at this junction. This same text has been regurgitated with minor changes to other people who have complained to Mr Fishwick about the island. Fortunately for our campaign, Mr Fishwick has confirmed that it is an unnecessary and unneeded crossing but rather, one which is desired.Q. Hold on, it's only 25 odd metres from a toucan crossing isn't it?A. Yes it is. For those wondering, a toucan crossing is designed for cycles and pedestrians, hence 'two-can': http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toucan_crossingQ. Does that mean there are two crossings for cyclists and pedestrians within 25 odd metres of each other?A. Yes, daft isn't it. One is perfectly safe and reasonably well designed considering the limitiations of the junction but not on the 'desire line', the other causes loads of congestion at peak hours, will eventually be the scene of a nasty accident, but is on the 'desire line'.Q. How much did the island cost?A. We're not really sure, but documentation we have seen says it was estimated to cost around 25,000 pounds.Q. 25k? How many pot holes could have been filled for that?A. Our thoughts exactly, but hold on, it comes from a different budget. So that's all right then.Q. What can be done about it?A. We're not really sure, however a Freedom of Information (FOI) request has gone in, to try to ascertain just how much consultation was made with local residents, businesses and other interested parties. The answers to this will be published here on this website when they have been received. By law, Surrey County Council should respond within 20 working days of the request being submitted, so we expect an answer sometime around early May 2010.Q. Were the proper channels gone through, including consultation with those likely to be affected?A. Well, that is an interesting question. Our FOI request will hopefully deliver some answers here, but it appears that Fishwick Island did not need to have any planning permission which means Woking Borough Council had no say in it.Q. Have you ever heard of Private Eye's Rotten Boroughs?A. Yes.Q. How can I make my experiences and views of Fishwick Island known?A. Please add your comments to this blog entry:http://blog.fishwick-island.org.uk/2010/04/fishwick-island-my-experience.html Q. I have some photographs of dangerous practices or examples of increased congestion, can I put them on this website?A. Not automatically at the moment, but we hope to offer this feature in the future. |