Quietway trial between Gerrards Cross and Chalfont St Peter to end early

The Council has confirmed today that it will be ending the ‘quietway’ trial between Gerrards Cross and Chalfont St Peter, having listened carefully to the views of local people.

Part of the Government’s national effort to make travel safer during the pandemic and to encourage more cycling and walking, the scheme, the first to be trialled in Buckinghamshire, had been in place since early August.

The Council had always welcomed feedback on the trial however, while there was a growing level of local support, a clear majority objected to the scheme and the difficulties it was presenting locally.

Buckinghamshire Council Cabinet Member for Transport, Nick Naylor said this was democracy in action. “The success of these active travel schemes depends on the benefits they bring to local communities. If they don’t work, they will be removed – it’s as simple as that.

“In this case, local people have spoken and we have listened and acted,” Nick added.

Given the time pressures set by Government and the urgency to react to the on-going pandemic, conventional consultation with local people simply wasn’t an option.

Nick continued, “By trialling the scheme over three months and seeing how the temporary measures worked did give local people the chance to see how things worked in real life. It clearly wasn’t for them, so we’re ending the trial early.

“We do remain committed to working with local communities to develop and install measures which support walking and cycling for local trips in line with our climate change, air quality and public health policies.”

The council will be trialling further schemes in Southcourt, Aylesbury and in Haddenham over the coming weeks and will continue its commitment to listen to the views of local people in these areas.