26 May 2016
Lancashire County Councillor Gina Dowding proposed a motion this week at Full Council in support of protecting the integrity of the Preston Guild Wheel; an award winning 21 mile safe cycle route around Preston. The Preston Guild Wheel is currently under threat due to massive housing and highways development.
The Guild Wheel User Group approached Cllr Dowding for her support after being unable to find a local Preston councillor to propose the motion. Fortunately, at the Council meeting, the motion got full support from all political parties.
Pete Ward, Chair of the Guild Wall User Group, and key campaigner in getting the Guild Wheel established, said:
"At long last and after a sustained campaign with a large scale public protest against Lancashire County Council's plans for eight new road junctions onto the Guild Wheel - with a dangerous one already built - today marked an important milestone. The Save Our Guild Wheel petition has over 10,600 signatures, with over 2,000 enthusiastic comments."
Gina's motion, seconded by the Conservative leader Geoff Driver, highlighted the dangers facing the Guild Wheel and called for better consultation and collaboration. This was particularly important in terms of design input from recognised cycling groups into future junctions.
Gina said: "I think it was important to have this debate and to get confirmation from county that they are committed to adopting best practice in terms of highways design to keep all road users- particularly cyclists and pedestrians safe.
The Guild Wheel is close to the hearts of thousands of people in Preston and has made a huge contribution to sustainable transport infrastructure. I think we would be upset in Lancaster if our Millennium cycle way was under similar threat of disruption."
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