Letter: GBC Seems to Lack a Vision for Guildford

Published on: 7 May, 2024
Updated on: 7 May, 2024

From: Bibhas Neogi

In response to: It’s a Sad State of Affairs

I get the impression that Guildford Borough Council does not have a vision for Guildford. Both Guildford Vision Group and Guildford Society tried very hard but all good advice fell on deaf ears.

In my view, Surrey County Council has not much interest in traffic issues in Guildford. SCC has done away with the committee that used to consult with GBC. SCC’s traffic management for roadwork is poor and often these do not comply with the standards for signs.

Whether it is the height of buildings or developments adversely affecting traffic or conservation of perfectly good buildings in planning applications for developments so as to avoid demolition that causes unnecessary carbon emissions, GBC offer a low quality service.

From a recent Dragon article Times Rankings Showing GBC To Be Worst Council in Surrey Dismissed by Lib Dems “The Office for Local Government (Oflog), shows Guildford to be among the worst in the whole country for finance and processing planning applications. The rankings are for all 318 local authorities in England.”

No wonder GBC ranks 250th in the league table.