Bridge Closures To Allow ‘Crucial’ Repairs Announced

Published on: 12 Nov, 2019
Updated on: 14 Nov, 2019

Network Rail is warning of planned closures of Farnham Road Bridge to enable repairs to be completed. The work will deny main road access to the A31 an arterial route from Guildford to the Hog’s Back and Farnham.

The bridge, which spans six railway tracks to the south of Guildford Station requires crucial refurbishment and strengthening.

A spokesperson said: “This work is crucial. If we do not carry out the work, the bridge will eventually become too weak to sustain the high level of traffic passing over it.”

The work is funded by Network Rail and Surrey County Council.

The busy A31 road passes over the bridge.

The outlined programme of closures is:

16 November to 20 December – night-time road works, bridge closed 9pm until 5am.

Traffic lights will be installed on the rail bridge and surrounding roads.

25 December – bridge closed from midnight to 5am 30 December.

The Farnham rail bridge will be closed whilst Network Rail carry out their work.

Railway line closure – for lines south of Guildford Station from 11pm 24 December until 4am on 31 December

Those who have any questions or concerns can visit the Network Rail website or telephone their 24-hour helpline on 03457 11 41 41, quoting “information request – Farnham Road overbridge”

There is a page for these works which will be updated as necessary –

https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/roadworks-and-maintenance/roadworks/farnham-road-guildford-rail-bridge-strengthening-work

Responses to Bridge Closures To Allow ‘Crucial’ Repairs Announced

Martin Elliott Reply

November 12, 2019 at 1:48 pm

What a shame the work is only to return the bridge, after over 20 years, to its original load capability.

Although many people will tell you the one lane in each direction is for safety, originally it had three lanes but this was thought to exceed the weak bridges capability.

Wouldn’t it be good if instead of “crucial” repairs the bridge was brought up to modern standards for an arterial route?

Sadly, Network Rail has no obligation to do this, and SCC/GBC still don’t seem to have a practical plan for Town Centre traffic, either into town or through the town.

All you get told is “Modal Shift” will solve everything.