Letter: We Need More Than Just a New Walnut Bridge

Published on: 22 Jul, 2016
Updated on: 22 Jul, 2016

From Barry Williams

If the proposed new Walnut Bridge gets pedestrians away from the narrow pavements of Bridge Street that is a good start but it is only a small part of the pedestrian movement picture.

There also needs to be an improvement on the layout of the station forecourt and its pathways and new “bridge” signing for pedestrians to direct them to this alternative and hopefully safer route into town

And does this gateway bridge also allow ramped access for cyclists and pedestrians to the riverside towpath in front of The Billings as part of a joined up thinking for cycle routes within and through the town? The illustration suggests this has not been considered.

If this project is part of a comprehensive package of developments to improve travel for pedestrians and cyclists across Guildford could we also please see ramped access for cycles, and those with push chairs, to the bridge by the Guildford Rowing Club for those coming off National Cycle Network route 22 (the cycle path from Shalford and further south) so that they could route through Millmead, safely pass under the gyratory and then along the towpath to the station and beyond?

Responses to Letter: We Need More Than Just a New Walnut Bridge

N Edwards Reply

July 23, 2016 at 5:53 pm

Yes – and if we’re going to look at the station layout, could we perhaps address the current ludicrous taxi situation whereby the first taxi available for hire is the one furthest away. Convenient for the taxi drivers, but not for their customers.

Note. Mark Rostron of the Guildford Hackney Association said, in the council debate on the Solum planning application: “The proposed plan repeats the mistake of having the tail of the taxi rank nearest the station entrance and the head of the rank as far as possible from the entrance. [Passengers] would have to walk further to the head of the rank while being exposed to the elements.” Ed