GBC Announces Opening of New Ash Road Bridge – Plus Major Diversions

Published on: 6 Feb, 2025
Updated on: 10 Feb, 2025

Chester Bridge CGI

By David Reading

The new Chester Bridge over the railway line in Ash will be opened to traffic this Saturday, February 8.

The opening will be followed two days later by Phase Five of the bridge project  – in which part of Ash Church Road will be closed temporarily and diversions put in place.

See also: GBC Dismisses Fears That New Ash Road Bridge Will Cause Traffic ‘Bottleneck’

The Phase Five work is expected to take about nine weeks and will entail:

• Closing the level crossing to motorised traffic
• Reconstruction of Ash Church Road between Britten Close and Foreman Road
• Closing the junction of Ash Church Road and Foreman Road temporarily
• Diverting the Number 20 bus temporarily. The bus stops at St Peter’s Church, Ash Station and Chester Road will not be served during Phase Five.
• Installing temporary traffic lights on Foreman Road to enable pedestrian access between Woodroffe Close and Meade Walk. Traffic light timings will be reviewed after one week
• Installing new parking spaces on Guildford Road between the “Dover Arms” roundabout and the level crossing

Updated: In advance of the work taking place, the level crossing was closed to traffic today (Saturday), the junction of Ash Church Road and Foreman road were also closed, traffic lights were installed in Foreman Road, and diversions were in place.

During this phase of the work, cars, light vehicles and the Number 20 bus will be diverted from Ash Street along Grange Road, Foreman Road, over the new bridge, and through the new Wildflower Meadow Estate. Traffic will rejoin Guildford Road at the “Dover Arms” roundabout, and vice versa.

The council says that while the diversion is in force, HGVs will be advised to take a longer diversion route from the A331, along the A31 and A3, then back to Ash via the A323.

The intention is to reduce heavy traffic on the narrower roads of the diversion route. HGVs will be able to use the bridge at the end of Phase Five, in about nine weeks’ time.

The council says pedestrian and cyclist access to the railway station will be maintained throughout Phase Five, with a signed diversion between Grange Road and Ash Church Road. Pedestrians and cyclists will also still be able to cross the railway at the level crossing, and will also be able to use the new bridge.

A council statement described the bridge project as “much needed” in order to improve road safety and cut congestion caused by the level crossing.

Cllr Tom Hunt, GBC’s lead councillor for Regeneration, said: “I’m delighted that we are now able to move forward with the Phase Five work. Those travelling by car and bus will now be able to use the new bridge.

Tom Hunt (Lib Dem, St Nicolas)

“This has been a big and complicated project, and I am delighted that the opening of the bridge has come within budget.”

GBC said later that the final budget for the bridge remains at £44 million.

The Dragon understands that although the project might be within that final budget figure, the cost was initially estimated to be below £20 million.

Cllr Hunt continued: “Diversions agreed with Surrey County Council will be in place to enable the Phase Five works to be completed.  I understand that they may be frustrating for residents and those who travel through Ash, and I apologise for any disturbance or inconvenience caused. The bridge will open to all traffic, including HGVs, once Phase 5 is completed.”

View from the soon-to-be-opened Chester Bridge looking north (taken in December 2024).

Some road works will also take place on Guildford Road north of the level crossing. A council statement said: “This won’t affect access to the station car park, The Ashtrees or Chester Road. Pedestrians and cyclists will still be able to cross the railway at the level crossing.”

See also: Dragon Interview – Lead Councillor Tom Hunt on Ash Road Bridge Delays

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