After a Week of Controversy – GBC Issues Statement on Ash Road Bridge

Published on: 30 Nov, 2024
Updated on: 1 Dec, 2024

By David Reading

A week of controversy over the opening of the Ash road bridge was followed yesterday (Friday) by a lengthy statement from Guildford Borough Council in question-and-answer form, aimed at keeping residents informed about the schedule for the bridge opening and road closures in the area.

Key points include:

GBC is unable to give a precise date for the bridge opening. Network Rail and Surrey County Council must first sign it off as safe and compliant.
GBC says it is working closely with both bodies so that the bridge opens before any road closures are needed.
Phase 5 of the project is a crucial stage in which major work is undertaken in Ash Church Road between the level crossing and Britten Close. GBC says Phase 5 will not begin until the New Year.
GBC says the opening of the bridge is not reliant on Phase 5 works being completed.
A 16-mile HGV diversion route using the A331 and A31 is being discussed. If approved by SCC, this will be in place during Phase 5, says GBC.

The controversy began a week ago when residents were alarmed to hear that the bridge opening had been postponed until January but that the level crossing would be closed several weeks beforehand – in early December. Faced with that scenario, residents envisaged traffic mayhem and long diversions.

However, on Wednesday, after several days of varying statements, Surrey County Council said planned work which will close the Ash level crossing has been postponed until January, by which time the new road bridge should be open to traffic.

GBC has now released a statement answering some of residents’ questions.

When will the bridge open?

The bridge can’t open until both Network Rail (NR) and Surrey County Council (SCC) have signed it off as safe and compliant and all the necessary paperwork is in place.

We (GBC) are working closely with Network Rail and Surrey County Council to make sure all the necessary sign-offs are in place.

As soon as we receive these approvals, the bridge will open to cars and light vehicles.

HGVs will not use the bridge until Phase 5 is complete.

When will Phase 5 begin?

Phase 5 works include:

Full depth road construction of the section of Ash Church Road between the level crossing and Britten Close.

Plus: Utility diversions (gas and electricity); surface water drainage; street lighting installation; street furniture installation; block paving; kerbs and edgings; traffic signage and road markings

Network Rail presented the contractors VolkerFitzpatrick (VFL) with a further list of requirements related to working safely close to the railway on Wednesday, November 20. VFL requires up to two weeks to submit the proposals for these requirements and then Network Rail has a discretionary 23 days to review the proposals. Given these new requirements, Phase 5 will not commence until the New Year. Specific dates will be publicised once confirmed.

Does Phase 5 need to be completed before the bridge can open?

No, the opening of the bridge is not reliant on Phase 5 works being completed. However, only cars and light vehicles will be able to use the bridge until Phase 5 is completed.

If Network Rail issued a further list of requirements and we knew it would take a number of weeks, why did we issue a communication to close the level crossing?

At that point, the update was issued last week, and we had agreed an alternative diversion.

When will the SCC and NR sign-off be received? If this is all that is required, why can the bridge not open as soon as this is received?

We have agreed dates from SCC and NR to visit the site and approve the bridge for opening. As soon as this is received, the bridge will open.

Has the 16-mile HGV diversion been approved by SCC?

We are holding talks with SCC to confirm the diversion routes.

What diversions will be in place and when?

This is unknown at present.

We had a diversion route approved with permits issued which has now been revoked by Surrey County Council.

We are in dialogue with Surrey County Council to agree new diversion routes and we will work with SCC to inform residents once a decision has been taken.

Will HGVs be diverted even when the bridge opens?

Yes. The diversion is a 16-mile route using the A331 and the A31. It will be in place for the duration of Phase 5, around 8 to 9 weeks. This diversion route was approved by SCC early in the project. Signage will be in place to direct HGV drivers on the diversionary route.

Apps such as Google Maps and Waze update their information from a site called one.network where all roadworks are logged.

Have bus companies been notified of the postponement and are they making alternative arrangements for their passengers?

Surrey County Council, as Highways Authority, is responsible for liaising with bus companies. The postponement does not create an immediate problem for the bus operators as no route amendments need to be implemented.

VFL has already met SCC’s Public Transport Liaison Officer to discuss the options for buses if an alternative diversion is used for Phase 5. SCC is considering the options.

Ash Grange School and Little Fishes Nursery are both close to the bridge. Have they been notified? Parents will have to make U-turns in the road just to drop their children off at school.

We will notify them as soon as dates are confirmed for the bridge opening and Phase 5.

How can I keep up to date?