Letter: Time for Action to Repair the Tumbling Bay Bridge and Restore the Wey Towpath

Published on: 10 Jan, 2025
Updated on: 10 Jan, 2025

The closed towpath over Tumbling Bay Weir Photo Guildford Society

From: Alistair Smith

chair of The Guildford Society

The Tumbling Bay footbridge on the River Wey in the town centre was swept away in 2019. In the meantime, Notre Dame was extensively damaged by fire, also in 2019, and, following a far bigger project, is now rebuilt and open to the public.

All that seems to happen in relation to Tumbling Bay Bridge is discussion rather than action. After four years of discussions between the various bodies involved, the Trust finally accepted in 2023, that they were responsible for the reconstruction of the temporary weir and bridge.

The Trust have announced a series of initiatives to celebrate their 130th anniversary including substantial spending on various properties, such as a £17 million project to transform the Bath Assembly Rooms.

It is time the Trust publicly provided Guildford with a firm date for the reconstruction of this bridge much used by residents of Guildford.

Editor’s comment: We are asking the National Trust to respond.