Ash Must Continue To Wait For A Decision On Railway Station Footbridge

Published on: 17 Aug, 2026
Updated on: 17 Aug, 2026

The Chester Bridge is now an established part of the Ash scenery. But what about the promised footbridge?

By David Reading

Doubts still remain over long-standing plans to build a footbridge over the railway at Ash Station – a scheme once said to be an important part of the Chester Bridge project.

Before the road bridge was opened in February 2025, the footbridge was being discussed as if its construction was near certain.

But the rail authorities have now issued a statement – one of many provided in recent years – casting fresh doubts over whether the footbridge will ever be built.

The statement says: “South Western Railway and Network Rail Wessex are continuing to review the findings of a feasibility study and assess the available options regarding the potential provision of a footbridge at Ash Level Crossing.

“At this stage, no decisions have been made on a preferred design, funding, or delivery timescale, and therefore we are unable to confirm whether a footbridge will be progressed.”

Asked whether any footbridge might include a lift, the railway authority said: “As no preferred option has been selected, we are also unable to confirm the accessibility features that any future scheme may include. Accessibility considerations will form an important part of the assessment process should the project progress further.”

With pedestrian safety in mind, the footbridge has been discussed for years as an important part of Guildford Borough Council’s ambitious plans to build the Chester Bridge over the railway.

A key issue is whether the footbridge is affordable. Previously a Network Rail spokesperson had told the Guildford Dragon: “As a publicly funded body, Network Rail has a duty to spend taxpayer money wisely so we are exploring all the available options for the site.”

A statement from Guildford Borough Council this week shows that some money is available. “Network Rail is the lead agency for the development of a footbridge at Ash Station,” says the statement. “When Network Rail complete a feasibility study for the footbridge, we have budget in place to support the submission of a planning application, should Network Rail wish to progress.”

In September 2023, during a public information session on the road bridge, one of the most frequently asked questions was: How will pedestrians get across the railway when the road bridge is open?

The borough council’s reply was: “The level crossing will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists after the bridge is open and until such time as a footbridge is installed.”

Included in the discussions was the probability that the footbridge would include a lift.

When the road bridge project was approved in 2021, councillors were optimistic about the footbridge going ahead.

John Rigg, who was the lead for major projects at that time, said: “The road bridge, and planned footbridge, provides badly needed infrastructure investment following regeneration of the area, especially the arrival of new housing. The plan is to make the area safer for cyclists and pedestrians, and less congested for drivers while also improving air quality.”

Paul Spooner, who represented Ash South at that time, said: “I very much welcome this (road bridge) project and also welcome the confirmation that a footbridge will be coming forward for approval in the next few months.”

That was January 2021.

In March 2022 Network Rail spoke as if the footbridge was a foregone conclusion. A spokesperson said: “We are very pleased to be working with Guildford Borough Council to close this level crossing, which has a history of misuse by pedestrians. The proposed footbridge will also make it easier for passengers at Ash to change between services on the Alton and North Downs lines.”

In September 2023, there was still optimism at Guildford Borough Council.

Discussing pedestrian access to Ash railway station, the council’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Tom Hunt, said: “I can confirm that the level crossing will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists after the bridge is open and until such time as a footbridge is installed.”

Now, three years later, the people of Ash are still waiting. Clearly the cost of the project is central to discussions.

The latest statement from the railway authority concludes: “We will continue our internal review and will provide an update to the local community and stakeholders once there is further information to share.”