Flashback: Guildford’s Floods, December 2013

Published on: 31 Dec, 2023
Updated on: 8 Jan, 2024

Flashback is a new feature looking back at some of the top stories published on The Guildford Dragon NEWS exactly 10 years ago.

We begin with the floods and the havoc that was wreaked in late December 2013. There were a number of stories we reported on, some are published again here in the order they appeared.

Christmas Eve Nightmare: Crash, Floods and Failed Traffic Lights Cause Gridlock (published December 24 2013)

Guildford’s roads were fast approaching gridlock on Christmas Eve afternoon after a collision on the A3 at Burpham, traffic light failure at Stoke and flooded roads.

Overturned van on the A3 near Burpham on Christmas Eve afternoon.

A car and van appear to have collided on the northbound carriageway of the A3 at Burpham, near the slip-road from Clay Lane, at about 2pm. These photos show the scene soon after the incident happened, before emergency teams arrived.

The scene on the A3 shortly after the incident.

A van lies on its side in the central reservation, while a blue car that appears to have been involved is by the side of the road among the others vehicle that have stopped.

Motorists help keep the traffic moving before the emergency services arrived.

Motorists had stopped and were helping to warn others approaching of the incident. Traffic was already building up on either carriageway.

Surveying the overturned vehicle.

Meanwhile chaos was building at the Stoke interchange near the fire station, as the traffic lights were not working.

Chaos at the Stoke interchange with the traffic lights not working.

Traffic builds along Ladymead on the approach to the Stoke interchange.

Vehicles were edging to the centre of the interchange manoeuvring between each other as they turned left or right or slowly moved ahead.

Vehicles drive through the floods in Clay Lane, Jacobs Well.

In Clay Lane, vehicles had to negotiate two flooded sections of the road alongside the water meadows near Burpham Court Farm.

Easy does it: the extent of the flooding can be seen in the water meadows beyond.

At about 2.30pm, Walnut Tree Close had been closed with a police officer standing at the Woodbridge Meadows end preventing traffic from entering.

Flooding on the River Wey upstream of Guildford has been particularly bad, especially bad as these pictures show.

View from the bottom of Ferry Lane.

The ornamental bridge to nowhere at the foot of Ferry Lane.

The river at St Catherine’s.

This afternoon Guildford Borough Council (GBC)  issued a statement regarding the severe weather over the past 24 hours. It read: “We are working with partner agencies across Surrey to support our residents and businesses during the aftermath of the bad storms. Staff were on call and working on Monday night to help our tenants with any damage caused to homes and to assist where needed.

“We are also working today to clear up fallen trees, provide sandbags, alert the public and give any other help required. Particularly as the River Wey burst its banks in Guildford town centre, and during flooding in other communities across the borough, such as Ash Bridge.”

The managing director for Guildford Borough Council, Sue Sturgeon, said: “We continue to review the changing situation and focus on helping our vulnerable residents, especially those without power. We may need to accommodate a small number of people later today to provide them with the necessary food and warmth.

“For those people badly affected it is unlikely be a very happy Christmas and I encourage everyone to help in their local community where they can. I would like to thank all involved for their hard work and commitment at this difficult time, which could have an impact until the weekend. Please look out for the latest information and updates on our website.”

GBC has listed the following services affected by flooding or other issues caused by the recent bad weather.

• • Millmead Court sheltered housing – pedestrian access only from rear of building

• Bedford Road car park – lower level closed – access from Mary Road
• Millbrook car park – closed
• Portsmouth Road car park – closed – (contract only Monday to Friday)
• Walnut Tree Close car park – closed
• Bedford Road surface car park – closed
• Bedford Road garages – closed (also contract parking)
• No access via Millbrook to GBC Millmead offices

The council’s office at Millmead opens again at 8.30am on Thursday, January 2. Its customer service centre will provide telephone assistance on January 30 and 31 – call 01483 505050. In an out of hours emergency only, call 01483 564821.

Flood Alert Issued for Guildford as River Wey Breaks Banks in Town Centre (published on December 24, 2013)

Water pours over the lock gates at Millmead as the river level starts to overflow. But Christmas shoppers calmly carry on. Photo Lorimer Burn

The River Wey has overflowed into Millmead car park this morning (December 24) as water from yesterday’s continuous rainfall drains into the river basin and moves downstream. The footbridge at Millmead has now been been reported as closed (11.10).

A flood alert was finally issued for Guildford by the Environment Agency at 10.11am. Their website showed the river level as 2.64 metres at the Guildford station at 10.15am, above the upper end of the typical range of 1.10 to 2.45 metres and pushes it into the ‘flooding possible’ category. By midday the level had risen again to 3.15 metres and by 1230 3.23 metres.

Water starting to lap over into Millmead car park. Photo Lorimer Burn

The alert also includes: the East Clandon Stream at Send, Old Woking, Byfleet, and Weybridge. Alerts and warnings remain in place for the Upper Wey including Tilford, Eashing, Godalming, Shalford and Peasmarsh.

Throughout the south-east region there are 54 Flood Warnings (Flooding is expected. Immediate action required.) and 99 Flood Alerts (Flooding is possible. Be prepared.)

Flood water pouring over the bank of the lock to the lower level of the natural river course at Millmead. Photo Lorimer Burn

Guildford Dragon NEWS reader Lorimer Burn, who reported the Millmead flooding said: “It’s quite dramatic down here. I am surprised that a flood alert was not issued until now. It seems unbelievable.”

Meanwhile another storm casualty was a tree in Lawn Road, Guildford that runs from the Portsmouth Road to Bury Fields. The tree had fallen across the road which was only passable if vehicles mounted the pavement.

Tree down in Lawn Road.

The road was almost blocked by the fallen Leylandii and only passable if vehicles mounted the pavement.

The flooded towpath at Woodbridge.

The towpath of the River Wey at Woodbridge (near Currys / PC World and B&Q) was flooded this morning, December 24, as this photo shows that was taken at 8.42am.

More pictures of the flooding at Millmead have been sent in by Lawn Road resident Eddie Ward.

A pedestrian is advised to take another route and avoid the flood in Millmead.

Parking in Millmead this morning was a big mistake – huge!

PCSOs tape off Millmead car park. It’s a real “traffic island”.

And here’s why the Millmead footbridge has been closed.

Of course, if you are a duck your luck is in!

Floodwaters Recede: Now Guildford Takes Stock of the Damage (published December 26, 2013)

With the floodwaters having receded, Boxing Day has seen people taking stock of damage to their properties, with others simply sightseeing.

Rowing boat on the towpath at Millmead Lock.

Meanwhile at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, the show goes on this afternoon as the panto resumes its run despite part of the building being flooded.

People stand on the Town Bridge looking towards Millmead.

In Mary Road this morning (December 26) residents spoke of the events that unfolded on Christmas Eve afternoon after the River Wey, that is close by, burst its banks.

River water flowed into drains near premises behind the houses on the west side of Mary Road, soon reappearing through the grilles of drains in the road itself.

It was not long before parts of the cambered road was under a foot or so of water. As the water rose it began to spread towards the houses’ front gardens.

Sandbags in front of a house in Mary Road.

Residents say that it appears that as Guildford town centre became gridlocked with traffic, motorists were using Mary Road as a ‘rat run’. Some householders went out into the road, not only to warn drivers of the rising floodwaters, but to indicate to them to slow down as the wash their vehicles were making was lapping into front gardens and towards the houses themselves.

Mary Road, Guildford, now the water has receded – but someone has left their wellies behind!

One resident screwed a piece of board across his front door and used sealant in an attempt to stop water seeping in.  He said the sandbags around his property were delivered by Guildford Boorugh Council at about 9pm on Christmas Eve.

It appears that water has come into to some houses, but the extent of the damage is still being assessed.

River water seeped  into the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre resulting in its Christmas Eve production of Cinderalla being cancelled. But it was back on with the show on Boxing Day afternoon!

The water in the foyer has been about four inches deep. Staff went in on Christmas Day and helped get everything ready to welcome theatre-goers today. Water in the basement was being pumped out this morning. The orchestra pit is too wet for the band, so they will play to one side of the stage.

Eagle radio’s Peter Gordon, who is starring in the panto, has been tweeting about the theatre and its flooding. One read: “Great atmosphere @YvonneArnaud as director @GerryTebbutt speaks to the audience ahead of first show.”

The radio station continues to update listeners with flood alert information, with more details and pictures of flooding across Surrey and Hampshire on its website.

Debris lays against the footbridge at Millmead.

BBC Radio Surrey is broadcasting the latest on the weather we can expect.

The Get Surrey website of TrinityMirror Southern has remained largely silent since it posted on its Facebook page on Christmas Eve afternoon: “That’s all from us guys, Merry Christmas!!”

The stuff that Guildford gets it name from! ‘Golden’ sand washed on to the bank beside the Odeon cinema in Bedford Road.

View towards the river and it looks like a sandy beach washed by the waves.

Submerged boat in Millmead Lock.

Debris in Millmead Lock.

The water that was several feet deep in the car park at Millmead has now gone.

The Met Office is warning of another storm coming in from the Atlantic and expected to hit the UK on Thursday night into Friday.

Up to an inch (2.5cm) of rain and gusts of up to 70mph are predicted to affect all parts of the UK except for the East Midlands and East Anglia.

As of midday on Boxing Day the river, as seen from the Town Bridge.

Readers’ Photos of the Floods (published on December 26, 2013)

Some very good photos of the floods have been sent in by Dragon readers over the last 48 hours. Photos from Horsley and a report and photos from Burpham resident Jim Allen are included. Here they are…

From Mike Bennett

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From Lorimer Burn

From Jules Cranwell in Horsley

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From Marcia Sorrell

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From Jim Allen in Burpham

The photos sent are all taken Christmas eve and Christmas Day. The whole area was one vast sheet of water. The nature reserve was impassable and the tow path non-existent.

The river broke its banks at the nature reserve, Slyfield side, on Christmas Eve around midday but only along a short stretch of about 12 feet. By Christmas Day it was in effect 12 feet of bank left and the rest seemed to be a new course of the river.

Clay lane was impassable from about 3pm on Christmas Eve. Traffic coming off the A3 to avoid the south bound traffic jam managed to return onto the north bound A3 because the accident was south of the Clay Lane slip road.

Bowers Lock was over spilling down both sides into Sutton Park and the foot bridge was impassable. Anyway, there was no point in using it because from Bowers Lock to the Sutton Place entrance from the A3 was one sheet of water on Christmas Morning. Burpham court farm was an island!

The River Wey in control, as it was before the flood.

Now it is The Amazon of Guildford Borough.

That’s weird thought there was a weir there!

Walking on Water! Riverside nature reserve bridge board walk.

Somewhere under here is a set of lock gates and a ladder!

Bowers Mill – not all turbulent water – but 3 feet above normal level.

Clay Lane – the first of three ‘fords’ currently present!

Pictures by our resident birdwatcher Malcolm Fincham, that he took while coming home from his post round in Shamley Green on Christmas Eve afternoon. Busy traffic on the A281 at Shalford meant he made a detour heading west to the A3100!

No way through to Bramley from Wonersh for the council dustcart.

One of many trees down – This one in Wonesh Park.

View from Broadford Road, Shalford. across the water meadows.

Can you spot the towpath?

Flood Victim Family Finally Accommodated After Five Nights ‘Sofa-Surfing’ (published on December 30, 2013)

Trevor West, his partner Vanessa Sewell and their three daughters, outside their uninhabitable Walnut Tree Close home.

A family of five including three young children have been found temporary accommodation this evening five days after being forced out of the Walnut Tree Close council-owned property on Christmas Day.

Having been unable to get through to any council or emergency services that were able to offer help, Vanessa Sewell, in desperation, contacted The Guildford Dragon NEWS for help.

The Dragon alerted Cllr Caroline Reeves (Lib Dem Friary & St Nicolas) who visited the family in Walnut Tree Close within minutes. Contact was then made via council leader Cllr Stephen Mansbridge (Con, South Ash & Tongham) to the relevant, emergency cover, officers at Millmead.

This evening the family are being accommodated in two rooms in the Travel Lodge in Woodbridge Meadows until January 6. Other families in the same predicament have, it is understood, already been accommodated there or elsewhere.

Ms Sewell, who was close to tears when she spoke to Dragon NEWS and Cllr Reeves said: “I am so glad you have responded. I did not know who else to turn to.”

I am so glad you have responded. I did not know who else to turn to.

She had written earlier: “Having been made homeless due to the flood water reaching my home late Christmas Eve, forcing us to leave very early Christmas Day, I personally would like to know why I have been unable to get a response from GBC [Guildford Borough Council] and why I am still without somewhere warm and safe to stay with my children.

The lowest part of the house, the kitchen, suffered the worst but all the floors on the ground floor were covered with floodwater.

“My house was one of the worst flooded in my particular row, and we took action to move our children to the only place we could. Somewhere that had no power or heating.

“I was issued with a letter of a ‘potential flood’ at 6pm, after the water had flooded my garden by the only member of the council we have seen throughout the whole ordeal. Within three hours of that letter, the water was gushing in our house and there was nothing we could do.

“We don’t drive and were instructed to get our own sandbags because, according to the council repair crew that had come to lift our fence out the way much earlier in the day, they had no one to issue the sandbags because they had been instructed to only clear trees and lift fences from 4am that morning. In previous alerts, sandbags were delivered to us as soon as the warnings were in place.

“Unlike our neighbours, the flood water was not contained within our kitchen, so we waded away from the property an hour before the official evacuation. We have since had to leave where we had sought refuge and have now split up as a family. Our children are understandably incredibly distressed.

“The only other time we know of when a council employee was made available was for the brief period of the evacuation where good Samaritans of the local area opened a community centre for the victims.

“That employee found suitable accommodation for another of the worst-hit families but we have been left stranded, with no one in authority to turn to.

“We have sought the help of: social services (homeless children isn’t a big enough crisis for them) the police (even they could not contact the council) the Salvation Army (closed), Bracknell council [who are providing the out-sourced flood emergency line], a number offered to us by GBC street crew (could not help and  referred us to Social Services) Surrey County Council (it’s not their problem its Guildford Borough Council’s), the MP (answer machine). We did reach the out of hours emergency care line at GBC prior to the evacuation and the woman didn’t even know we were being flooded.”

Trevor West with the sandbags positioned by the front door: “But the water just bubbled up through the floorboards,” he said.

Vanessa’s partner, Trevor West, said: “We have been sofa-surfing with friends since it happened and the children, who are aged 8, 7 and 5, have been with their grandparents in Dorset, 85 miles away. Both my partner and I have jobs locally. We need temporary accommodation here with our children.

“We have lived here for five years. We knew there was a flooding risk and have flood insurance. We have now been told to leave everything as it is, until the assessor sees it.

“We did move everything we could upstairs, out of reach of the water, but we couldn’t move the washing machine or the chest freezer.”

“As we were the first house of the terrace of eight to be flooded and I was running to and fro to their homes to warn them. We are at the end of the terrace and seem to have suffered more but they have all had to move out, I think.”

This evening Trevor West called The Dragon with news of the accommodation arranged by Guildford Borough Council. “We are just very relieved. Perhaps now, reunited as a family we can begin to sort things out,” he said.

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