Government to Grant £10 Million for New Ash Railway Crossing

Published on: 3 Feb, 2018
Updated on: 6 Feb, 2018

The level crossing at Ash railway station.

By David Reading

The government has agreed to grant £10 million to Guildford Borough Council to part-fund a road bridge over the railway at Ash level crossing.

The new bridge will enable Network Rail to remove the level crossing, alleviating the traffic problems that build up when the crossing barrier is down – which happens more than 100 times a day. Reducing congestion in Ash is regarded as a particularly important infrastructure augmentation to facilitate the large number of new houses that will be built in the area over the next few years.

Local resident and campaigner Sue Wyeth-Price, who lives in Ash Green, welcomed the scheme in principle but pointed out that the project was in its early stages and she was concerned that the bridge might not be built before the new homes are ready for occupation.

Developers Bewley Homes wants to build 492 houses on land south of Ash Lodge Drive. Mrs Wyeth-Price said: “There are also applications already submitted for a further 435 houses within 700 meters of the level crossing, with more to come in the same area.”

She added: “I welcome any scheme that relieves the beleaguered residents of Ash, Tongham and Ash Green of the daily traffic nightmare. However, I understand that the council still has some way to go in securing the rest of the funding, acquiring the land, completing the design; and getting planning approval; all before work can actually commence.

“We are still very concerned that no infrastructure will be delivered before we are faced with the reality of a disproportionate number of new houses. And will the bridge simply move the traffic problem from one part of Ash to another?”

The £10 million grant has been allocated in response to the borough’s bid for funding from the new national Housing Infrastructure Fund. Apart from seeking to address the area’s traffic problems, the scheme is aimed at unlocking land that is allocated for development in the council’s Proposed Submission Local Plan. This scheme will deliver around 730 homes in the long term.

On this point, Mrs Wyeth-Price commented: “I, for one, am concerned that the bridge will simply facilitate the council’s plans to overwhelm the villages with even more houses than those we are already facing.”

Cllr Matt Furniss

Speaking about the grant, Councillor Matt Furniss, the borough’s lead member for infrastructure and governance, said: “This is fantastic news for the council and local residents, particularly in the Ash area, and supports our plans to improve infrastructure across the whole borough.

“There was strong national competition and it’s great that our bid for ten million pounds to part-fund the new Ash Road bridge was successful. We are the highest of the two successful bids in Surrey and it recognises the scheme’s ambition, benefits and deliverability. Also the vital part it plays in unlocking the potential for much needed new homes.

“A new road bridge over the railway in Ash will also reduce traffic congestion and enable Network Rail to remove the existing level crossing, which is one of their identified safety hotspots. The council is leading this strategic project and working very closely with them and others to deliver this key local improvement.”

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