OUR VIDEO IS COMING SOON!!! But first a quick update on the cycling paths:
We had another really positive meeting with the RBWM council on Friday, December 6th. It’s great to see how much effort the planning team is putting into understanding the safety issues around Cookham. They've been doing site visits to Cookham and are coming up with solutions.

Here’s a quick update on what’s happening, please don't hesitate if you have any thoughts or ideas you'd like us to take into our next meeting in March 2025.

Kennel Lane: The council is looking into better surfacing options for the path linking Cookham Rise/Dean alongside the Cricket Club. The slope and water runoff make it tricky, but they’ve promised to come back with some surface ideas and rough costs. There are also some challenges with parts of the path being privately owned, so landowner permissions might be needed.

The Pound: A new idea was shared about creating a path behind the houses and businesses along The Pound, using an existing track. The tricky part is connecting it back to The Pound via Poundfield Lane. Poundfield already has traffic calming, but the footpath is still too narrow. Other ideas like traffic lights or a one-way system are tough due to the narrow road and nearby driveways. Councillors will check in with local residents and businesses like The White Oak and Swan Uppers to see what they think.

Switchback Road: Everyone agreed the crossing at Malders Lane is dangerous due to speeding cars. It might be safer to add a crossing closer to Nightingale Lane where the speed limit is lower. This is a route kids take to Furze Platt Senior School.

Dean Lane: The footpath at Dean/Startin Lane is too narrow, and while a full contraflow isn’t possible, other ideas were discussed. The council will give us an update next time.

Warners Hill: A safe crossing near the Dean Lane/Warners Hill junction could work, but it would be expensive. A cheaper option could be adding “Quiet Lane” signs or lowering speed limits to make it safer.

There are definitely some big challenges ahead, but there are also some simple, low-cost ideas—like more “Quiet Lanes”—that could make a real difference. It will important that the Neighbourhood Plan gets passed by local residents so funding can be directed toward making these improvements happen in Cookham, otherwise funding from developments in Cookham could be spent elsewhere in the borough.