Mountain bikers cause parking woes in village
Mountain bikers flocking to Westcott have been causing a stir among villagers.
The thrill-seeking riders travel by cars and vans to the picturesque village from miles around to park before pedalling to nearby Leith Hill.
But residents and traders, fed up with not being able to park outside their premises, say they have had enough.
Harry Chavda, owner of Balchin's Stores in Guildford Road, said his trade was being hit by the parking problems.
He said: "Some of the mountain bikers park their cars there all day and when I have asked them to move they just argue with me. I am losing money because my customers cannot park at my shop."
Brenda Hemus, a churchwarden at Westcott's Holy Trinity Church, said churchgoers were turning away from services thanks to the parking woes.
Mrs Hemus, of Heath Rise, Westcott, said: "The bikers completely and utterly fill the village.
"There are notices to say while services on Sunday are taking place please do not park, but they could not give a stuff."
Members of the Surrey Hills Society have been meeting with mountain bikers in an attempt to resolve the issue.
They have called on Surrey County Council to provide a cycle path from Westcott to Dorking so riders can travel by train before riding to Westcott and beyond.
Surrey Hills Society chairman Neil Maltby said: "If we could get this set up they could park at the station in Dorking and that would reduce congestion.
"A lot of the people living in the village green live in little cottages and don't have anywhere else to park.
"You can understand that is very frustrating. It does cause a lot of upset."
Nearby bike shops have also been trying to seek a compromise, with Nirvana Cycles, in Guildford Road, Westcott, asking mountain bikers to donate to the village church if they use parking spaces.
Head for the Hills in West Street, Dorking, has been meeting with Surrey Hills board to try and eke out a compromise.
Roger Young, manager of Head for the Hills, said: "There is always going to be a conflict. I can understand residents' grumbles but anyone has a right to park in these spaces. What the solution is I don't know."
5 Comments
by Paul, Westcott
Friday, March 19 2010, 3:19PM
“There are already a number of tracks from Ranmore Road to Westcott via Landbarn Farm and Hole Hill, ranging from wide, gently sloping and gravelly to steep, muddy, singletrack - great for mountain biking. Also, the A25 isn't too bad: I ride to and from Dorking every day and the vast majority of drivers are considerate.
Some sort of park and ride scheme would be more popular, as the riders would also get a lift uphill into the bargain if they parked or arrived by train in Dorking and were dropped at one of the Leith Hill car parks.”
by Gazza, Dorking
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 6:15PM
“The A 25 is a cycle route from Dorking all the way to Guildford, very soon the speed limit will be reduced.
All that needs to be done is encourage cyclists to park in Dorking at the weekends rather than Westcott.
Then residents in Dorking can have a gripe about lack of parking! There are far more pressing issues
that need attention.”
by Rob, Dorking
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 1:31PM
“A cycle path from Westcott to Dorking is an excellent idea.
The A25 is not a safe route and it would give mountain bikers many more options for parking or taking the train.
There should be a safe cycle route set up all the way to Guildford.”
by Gazza, Dorking
Monday, March 08 2010, 7:28PM
“Are the traders in Westcott concerned they may have extra customers at the weekends!
Brings people to the village who may just see what a lovely area it is and ask about using the church.”
by Gazza, Dorking
Monday, March 08 2010, 7:25PM
“Traders in Westcott concerned they may have more customers at weekends!”