ACTIVE TRAVEL GROUP

Creation

Haslemere’s Active Travel Group formed just before the first COVID lockdown when volunteers from multiple organisations realised more could be achieved in the realm of green transport, if we worked together.

The lockdown experience made visible the importance of attractive, leafy, accessible outside spaces to hang out in. Like many others in the UK, we rediscovered the pleasure of walking and cycling when the roads weren’t so busy. Once we started looking through, missing sections of pavements and cycle routes all over the area came to light. These were mapped and assessed with Highways engineers who gave strong guidance on process, budgets and looking at safety from different angles.

Foundation

Research was going to be key to getting traction. We spoke to other community groups and stakeholders; researched traffic and pollution statistics; investigated schemes such as 20mph zones, 45min school street closures and shared space road layouts.

We found the British Medical Association had been banging the active travel drum for a while, saying; “the best forms of exercise are those that fit into everyday life” and “daily exercise is a miracle cure”. They recommend just 22mins exercise a day to reduce the risks of dementia, stroke, cancer, diabetes, heart & lung diseases, depression, osteoporosis, falls and high blood pressure by up to 50%. Startling!

We also found Surrey roads carry 60% more traffic than the national average; 46% of the county’s carbon emissions are from transport; and particulate emissions are estimated to account for 5.7% of mortality (2018). The popularity of the areas leafy streets has come with a cost.

Inspiration

Pollution statistics aside, we also found lots to inspire us. An insight that really resonated was the “first and last mile principle”. The idea that if the start and end points of a journey are attractive, people are more likely to walk.

How the insight scales is good news for High Streets; where walking, cycling and public realm improvements can increase retail sales by up to 30%. Creating beautiful places to walk, cycle and spend time in, attracts more shops (retail vacancies on average 17% lower) making them more economically viable and vibrant. People who walk to the high street tend to stay for longer and spend up to 40% more than people who drive there.

Newsletters

We’re action orientated, welcome different opinions and are happiest challenging what the future could look like. The group welcomes all (even petrol heads) so get in touch if you want to be involved, have a question, or would like to be added to the mailing list for updates. Our streets are everybody’s business. 

Vision

Looking seriously at the research and ideas out there crystallised our vision; “to make our streets nicer, more vibrant places to spend time in”. Now we’re collaborating with national and local organisations, all working to encourage active travel and tackle Climate Change at the knees. Our aims are simple, but incredibly challenging:

• Reduce traffic, carbon emissions and pollution in Haslemere and surrounding villages
• Expand and beautify the places we want to spend time walking and cycling in
• Promote green travel
• Encourage residents out to enjoy and socialise on their streets 

In our experience of presenting and talking to people, the majority are more than swayed by the evidence. There have been dramatic changes of heart, with Town Council members moving from resistance to 20mph zones to a majority vote to show support in Nov 2022.