Letter: Guildford Should ‘Get Over Itself’ and Get On

Published on: 19 Aug, 2021
Updated on: 19 Aug, 2021

Central Woking – Image Wikipedia

From: Jan Todd

In response to: Too Many Opinionated, Over 60s Men Prevaricating Over the Town’s Future

I do so agree with C Harding.

I fear we can look forward to many more years of nothing ever happening. I visited Woking last weekend, our neighbouring town, so reviled and looked down on by some here in Guildford.

I visited The Lightbox – nothing comes close in Guildford – followed by a stroll along the towpath of the Basingstoke Canal where a charming narrowboat was serving coffee and cakes – nothing like it on the river in Guildford – noted the very accessible Public Library – I love Guildford Library but easily accessible it isn’t.

Giant deckchairs were laid out in the town square, quirky sculpture everywhere, children playing with a giant chess set, popular shops which have now closed in Guildford – Fat Face and H&M for example – are all still trading in Woking, I believe.

Guildford needs to “get over itself” or it will be left behind,

constantly banging on about the history and heritage (of which Woking has plenty, which I learned from the excellent displays at The Lightbox).

The North Street/Woodbridge Road/Bus Station area is a disgrace, and depressing to walk through if you live in the town centre (and I suspect many of the people referred to by C Harding don’t live there) but I doubt that I will see any change in my lifetime, while all this prevarication continues.

Responses to Letter: Guildford Should ‘Get Over Itself’ and Get On

Martin Elliott Reply

August 19, 2021 at 12:59 pm

Don’t just look at Woking. What about the development of Kingston?

Derelict and run down in the 70s, when I attended the polytechnic, in an annex now converted to luxury flats.

New road layouts, retail, industrial and residential. Oh and riverside access.

Not bad for a town which is on a rail branch line.

However, as a retired, 60-year-old, male, ex-professional, I’m not sure, having lived in Guildford over 30 years, how I am responsible have delayed redevelopment over that time.

Looking at the current and previous Guildford Borough councillors, with a few exceptions, they’ve struck me as well-intentioned with few over 60, and a good number female.

I don’t imagine that despite the lack of ability to answer any letters over the past 18 months, there are too many council officers are over 60 and blocking redevelopment.
Liz Markwell Reply

August 19, 2021 at 7:05 pm

Jan Todd is absolutely right.
Lyn Willis Reply

August 20, 2021 at 9:19 am

Jan Todd has been bugging our house. She has just voiced everything we have been saying for years.

How many years have they been planning improvements to the bus station, North Street etc… and NOTHING has been done.

I am now in my 70s and, like Jan, I don’t believe anything will be achieved in my lifetime. It’s sad, I have been looking forward to some of the changes.
M Rotherham Reply

August 20, 2021 at 1:04 pm

Jan Todd is absolutely right. I am ‘only’ in my 60s, but I agree – “not in my lifetime”. Hopeless.
Ian Nicholson Reply

August 20, 2021 at 2:11 pm

I am also a man in my 60s and totally agree. I have lived in Guildford for many years but a lot of my community work focus is now in Woking.

There is an incredible community feel in Woking: the town centre has a great market, the street food walkway, the town square always has something interesting going on.

It is much more multicultural and yes the quirky street art and sculptures add humour and interest.

As well as the Lightbox there is the Lighthouse, a community centre doing a phenomenal amount – not hidden away but very central.

I’m afraid the impression is that Guildford has rested on its laurels and the town centre has just been a money-making machine. The town seems quite elitist, anti-progress and anti-development.
Sue Warner Reply

August 21, 2021 at 12:46 pm

Some people here seem to have missed the point which is the prevarication. There is lots of talk about schemes but no action. The age of the decision-makers is irrelevant, they must just do something!