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Letter: Is a New Walnut Bridge the Best Way to Spend £2.7million?

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

The recommended design for a replacement bridge to cross the River Wey near the railway station. It is hoped that it will provide a safer route for pedestrians and cyclists to and from the town centre.From Bernard Parke

Hon Alderman

I must have missed the point of providing a new Walnut Bridge  over the Wey for an estimated sum of £2.7million.

Frankly, I cannot see the logic behind replacing a fairly modern bridge, built in the eighties, to accommodate the occasional cyclist.

Surely this money could have been put to better use?

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Responses to Letter: Is a New Walnut Bridge the Best Way to Spend £2.7million?

  1. Sue Warner Reply

    July 22, 2016 at 11:45 am

    They want to encourage people from the station to go that way into town. Can’t see it happening myself, they’re going to use Bridge Street as it’s shorter.

  2. Keith Reeves Reply

    July 22, 2016 at 12:35 pm

    Perhaps if Bernard Parke cycled around the gyratory system a few times during the rush hour, for example en route from the town centre to the rail station, he might have a different view.

  3. Keith Chesterton Reply

    July 22, 2016 at 5:16 pm

    The new Guildford should be designed to encourage more sustainable forms of transport – walking, cycling and buses.

    This new bridge is an essential part of this. And it will also look a lot better.

    The present bridge is ugly and far too narrow. I’ve wanted it replaced ever since it was built.

  4. Brian Holt Reply

    July 22, 2016 at 10:55 pm

    It appears a new bridge for cyclists costing £2.7 million is more important than urgent services for the elderly, children etc.

    We know our MP Anne Milton wants more cycling improvements but it’s wrong when cuts have been made to so many services. Some Guildford Borough Council sheltered housing accommodation, have no wardens at weekends and the office is closed; even on normal weekdays sometimes the office is closed and these elderly residents are left on their own.

    This is happening at a time when the council is going to spend £2 million pounds on updating Woodbridge Road cricket pavilion which is only used weekends in the summer and when Surrey play two games there.

    The Conservative controlled council are like our government and only look after the rich residents of the borough.

    • Ben Paton Reply

      July 23, 2016 at 4:40 pm

      Spot on.

      £2.7 million to replace a bridge that is structurally sound, relatively new and only needs widening is a ludicrous extravagance.

      The new bridge is designed for the vanity of the Conservative Executive rather than the people who will actually use it. The bridge design, like the council, prioritises looking good over real substance.

  5. Bernard Parke Reply

    July 23, 2016 at 10:03 am

    If I were tired of living I might ride round the gyratory system on two wheels, cheek by jowl with all the through and heavy traffic.

    Even by car the system gives the impression of entering a very hostile environment.

    More consideration should be given to providing safety barriers in Bridge Street rather than provide funding for the proposed scheme.

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