Travel Smart plan for Guildford accepted by the government

A bid by Surrey County Council to improve transport in Guildford has been approved by the Department of Transport.

Back in April the council submitted a bid to improve sustainable transport in both Guildford and Woking called Travel Smart and asked for £5 million.

In the end, they've been given only £3.9 million and are still waiting to see what items that government will fund.

One of the main aspects of the bid, which is very eco-friendly on paper, were charging points being built for electric cars. Other points included, more cycle routes and the improvement of several bus routes, more information at bus stops for passengers, priority to buses at road junctions and increasing safety measures at crossings and more signage to encourage walking.

Ian Lake, cabinet member for transport, said: "In particular we're keen to make it easier for people to connect different forms of transport such as walking and cycling with bus and rail travel, as well as reducing carbon emissions and stimulating economic growth."

It has also emerged that a second Travel Smart bid for £16 million across not just Guildford but Woking, Redhill, Camberley, Egham and Epsom has also been submitted.

What do you think? Do you think Travel Smart will work? Is eco-friendly the way to go for the future of transport in the town? Let us know with a comment.