Letter: Call For Filthy Bus Station To Have A Good Clean

Published on: 1 Jul, 2021
Updated on: 1 Jul, 2021

From David Sindall, a copy of his letter to Surrey County Council

I use the Guildford bus station on a daily basis and I am appalled at its state of cleanliness.

Would you please endeavour to scrub the concrete floors, wash the paintwork and clean the windows of years of adhesive tape remains.

Surely the current Covid pandemic should be enough of an excuse to spend some money on at least basic hygiene?

The Guildford Dragon NEWS took these photos of Guildford bus station in the Friary Centre on Wednesday, June 30. What do other readers think of it?

A spokesperson from Surrey County Council’s replied to David Sindall:

Thank you for your email. Guildford Borough Council is responsible for street cleaning matters and they will be able to assist you. You can use their online self-service options at http://www.guildford.gov.uk or contact them via email: customerservices@guildford.gov.uk

Please do not hesitate to contact us again if you require further assistance.

As well as dirty, the bus station is always gloomy.

What do other readers think? Please leave a comment in the reply box below.

Responses to Letter: Call For Filthy Bus Station To Have A Good Clean

Jim Allen Reply

July 1, 2021 at 12:31 pm

Probably privately owned. And there is no money in keeping it clean. Seems the standard for such places.

David Rose replies: sorry Jim, I don’t agree. I’ve been to bus stations in some of England’s larger cities, I have found them to be clean, light and airy and they don’t smell.
Gillian Kilroy Reply

July 1, 2021 at 1:28 pm

This bus station has passed its sell by date.

It was meant to have been at least renovated years ago but it didn’t happen!

It is grubby, gloomy, and waiting for buses on the other side [Commercial Road], protection from the elements is well below par.

It’s like sitting in a wind tunnel in winter!

Also not enough seating.

For a town like Guildford it’s embarrassing!
Norah Mordem Reply

July 1, 2021 at 3:00 pm

The bus station is rather a depressing place anyway and lacks the basic provision of toilets for travellers!
Barry Williams Reply

July 1, 2021 at 3:39 pm

Consequently, it will be of interest to see what is the future planning for the bus station site within the redevelopment of the North Street area and Town Centre Master Plan / Guildford Economic Regeneration Programme.

Also might we expect to see some changes in bus routes and scheduling, so that in addition to the hub and spoke operation we see more direct cross-town services that avoid the town centre.

Park and ride services might also be restructured to run between park and ride sites. For example, Merrow to Onslow Village via the town centre / Royal Surrey County Hospital / the University of Surrey, as one single route.
- Martin Elliott Reply
  
  July 2, 2021 at 10:15 pm
  
  Don’t hold your breath for a practical, sensible new bus terminus as part of the North Street Regeneration project.
  
  The key team’s initial concept was a move to Leapale Road, along with the closure of North Street. They, and possibly those managing the traffic scheme in the town centre plan, don’t seem to consider traffic flows more than half a mile from the centre.
  
  No thoughts about London Road, Epsom Road, or Woking Road. All bus routes from the north and east are funnelled into York Road. (Although the teams claim all northern traffic only used Woodbridge Road.)
  
  No wonder the consultation flooded the project with comments and objections. How can we have any confidence in a project team whose first concept was so far from the community’s needs?
Sue Warner Reply

July 1, 2021 at 9:33 pm

It’s always been a grotty (polite term), smelly place with a lot of miserable grumpy personnel (Safeguard Buses being an exception).

It doesn’t encourage anyone to use it.
Georgina Grant Reply

July 1, 2021 at 9:51 pm

The bus station is awful. It is badly designed and filthy.

Having buses on opposite sides of the road is crazy.

There are several different buses that go to Shalford. However, it is impossible to catch the one departing soonest because there is no indicator board at the North Street entrance.

One day, I discovered by accident there is such a board right down the at the end of the bays by one of the Friary exits.

Totally useless unless shopping in there.

More seating is needed and definitely toilets.
M Durant Reply

July 1, 2021 at 11:33 pm

It is true that the bus station is gloomy and musty but it is conveniently situated in the centre of town.

It would be great to have a direct quick bus to Kingston, instead of the current bus service that goes through all the suburbs and takes ages, about an hour and 15 minutes (by car it just takes 20 minutes), or a direct train, Guildford to Kingston, instead of going through Surbiton on a slow train that stops at all the stations or going via London.

Quick direct trains from Guildford to Brighton, Worthing, Chichester, regional train links are poor and tortuous. Before the pandemic, it took me the whole day to reach Canterbury, by train again into London and out again on a slow train…

Also a direct quick shuttle bus to Newlands Corner, Blackheath and the beauty spots that disabled people, with no cars, can’t access.
M Smith Reply

July 3, 2021 at 7:32 pm

The bus station is a disgrace for a rich town like Guildford. Yes, it’s in a good location but I think it will take more than a lick of paint and a quick clean-up to dispel its aura of squalor. It’s not at all a welcoming place.
John Giles Reply

July 8, 2021 at 1:27 pm

I visit Guildford from Bracknell and I laugh at the state of Guildford’s bus station. Come to Bracknell for a clean day out.