Letter: Area Near Walnut Bridge Continues to Be an Embarrassment

Published on: 4 Oct, 2025
Updated on: 4 Oct, 2025

From D Smith

In response to: Street Art Project Aims To Revitalise Rundown Parts Of Guildford

I appreciate some artists have taken time to try and brighten this area up but the truth of the matter is that this area continues to be embarrassment to the town.

The new bridge was supposed to kick start regeneration and provide an attractive safe route from the station to the town centre. Instead it’s been poorly maintained, the promised “piazza” is more akin to an 1980s office car park and the former Old Orleans restaurant has sat empty for nearly 15 years.

Perhaps Guildford residents could have an update from Cllr Tom Hunt (GBC deputy leader and lead councillor for Regeneration) on what the strategy is for Bedford Wharf and the council owned former Old Orleans premises?

Responses to Letter: Area Near Walnut Bridge Continues to Be an Embarrassment

Martin Elliott Reply

October 5, 2025 at 3:23 pm

As usual, the excuse will be COVID.

GBC has moved money from other budgets as the bridge project went well over budget and was late. Also there was the “extensive” although not obvious, landscaping of the plaza.

GBC has also spent capital funds on securing the leasehold and freehold of Old Orleans. And then to regenerate, leased it to the Odeon for more screens. That deal fell due to COVID (of course).

Another observation is the the Local Plan defined the the Plaza as including the Car Parking to the South, but a quick move of the line saved the costs of redevelopment.

It was implied there would be events and even stalls to to make the Plaza a leading meeting and social area in the town. Never seen anything.

As D Smith asks, what is the strategy now for the Plaza?
Frank Emery Reply

October 13, 2025 at 11:30 am

The Walnut Bridge was meant to be the beautiful entrance from the railway station to an amazing Guildford! Unfortunately, it simply encourages people to walk into an area of disillusionment.

The Old Orleans restaurant, standing dirty but painted over with street art, the piazza that used to be a vibrant place, now empty and dirty.

From this place you move to another dirty area, the outside of the Casino and further around the corner, the amazing black building now standing empty!

If you are fortunate enough to have missed the amazing bridge, you will have of course walked past the “beautiful” night club area!
What a sight to behold?
Tony Harrison Reply

October 21, 2025 at 8:06 am

A local charity made strenous efforts to take on the New Orleans building at zero cost to the taxpayer. GBC bent over backwards to prevent this, and for it to remain unused and an eyesore in the town centre. No cogent reason was given. Stinky rat anyone?