Borough Council Closes Car Parks Used By Walkers

Published on: 10 Apr, 2020
Updated on: 13 Apr, 2020

County Council car parks were closed at the time of the lockdown

Car parks on the outskirts of Guildford, used by walkers, have been closed this evening (April 10) to prevent their use by those breaching government guidelines.

Advice not to drive to other areas even a short distance away for exercise has been controversial but a council spokesperson said: “We have taken the decision to close the following countryside large car parks to restrict people breaching the government advice to stay at home.

“While our urban parks have been quiet, we have still have reasonable numbers accessing the countryside despite all the messaging.”

The car parks that are being closed are:

St Marthas, Chilworth
Chantries, south of Guildford
Riverside Nature Reserve, Burpham
Lakeside Nature Reserve, Ash Vale
Merrow Down, by the golf course clubhouse

Barriers were put in place at 6pm to close the car parks. Residents were told to remove their cars as soon as possible.

The spokesperson concluded: “We urge residents to please follow the government guidance and stay safe and stay home this weekend.”

Responses to Borough Council Closes Car Parks Used By Walkers

Jim Allen Reply

April 10, 2020 at 8:31 pm

So they will now park all along Bowers Lane. They should have closed of the lane completely.
Jack Bayliss Reply

April 11, 2020 at 4:48 pm

There is an old saying: rules are made for the guidance of wise men and the observance of fools. From what I have read, the virus is far more likely to be spread by people having to walk close together than large areas such as St Marthas and the Chantries.

I have walked past the Chantries car park every day this week and there have seldom been more than seven or eight cars in it. This decision smacks of lack of common sense.
Paul Robinson Reply

April 11, 2020 at 7:11 pm

So the Riverside Park car park is classified as a “large” car park. If that is large I’d hate to see a small one.

In my experience of Riverside, the people who are abusing the guidelines are the cyclists, joggers and the odd angler. Closing the car park is not going to dissuade the cyclists and joggers.
Graham Potter Reply

April 12, 2020 at 9:31 am

Another “jobsworth” decision. Everyone will now crowd into Sutherland and Stoke Park playing fields so you are in close proximity to as many people as possible.

I had hoped that the Liberal and Residents parties now running the council had more sense. Looks like more upsets are needed when we are allowed to vote again.