Letter: Walnut Bridge is Looking Run Down already

Published on: 16 Mar, 2024
Updated on: 16 Mar, 2024

Walnut Bridge graffiti (taken January 31)

From: J Yeend

In response to: Guildford Council Answers Questions About Walnut Bridge

Can The Dragon please press GBC and the “spokesperson” (let us have the name of who is accountable please) because these issues are still not sorted, namely:

“Mr Puddle” returns regularly to the foot of the steps following heavy rain, meaning commuters have to leap over or bypass via the ramp (I have seen no evidence of contractors or maintenance looking at this);
the lighting for the rails on the bridge itself is still not functioning;
graffiti is being left in place and hence multiplying;
the bridge itself is not being swept or sprayed for weeds – it is looking run down already.

Editor’s response: this letter will be forwarded to GBC for comment.

Responses to Letter: Walnut Bridge is Looking Run Down already

David Ogilvie Reply

March 16, 2024 at 12:20 pm

The Walnut Bridge is a £6 million pound disaster that obstructs views of the river and from the river. The long ramp creates an unsafe unsupervised space and is thus attractive to graffiti perpetrators. It replaces a bridge that was doing a good job.

The design as a structural beam led to unnecessary structural depth. It could have been designed as the Yvonne Arnaud bridge with structural support from the balustrades. The large number of wide steps are potentially dangerous for they are unguarded.

This was a political vanity project too far.
Martin Elliott Reply

March 16, 2024 at 3:46 pm

Not just the Walnut Bridge.

The Plaza was due to be refurbished and landscape to turn it into a vibrant meeting place.

Since £500,000 was taken from the Transport budget for this, perhaps the “spokesperson” officer or responsible councillor could list what that money paid for. Apart from some shrubs and non-vertical (and inadequate) standard lamps.

As with the bridge and ramps, graffiti abounds with weeds and dirt. GBC was very proud that they now own the leasehold and freehold of the properties.

Although the plans for Odeon to expand into the Old Orlean’s building was abandoned (a consequence of the Covid pandemic?) I’ve not seen any news of substitute plans.

The original Plaza refurbishment included all the car park area to the south, but that was quietly removed during the project. What is happening with that area. Is it a permanent car park?

As Cllr George Potter described to me, this was a grotty area on his walk to work (?). Does he and the rest of the council think it is now a vibrant meeting place?
Frank Emery Reply

March 18, 2024 at 3:06 pm

And where does it lead too? Where apart from an old disused restaurant that’s owned by GBC and a town that’s almost empty of shops!

What a disgraceful waste of money.
Frank Laney Reply

March 22, 2024 at 4:25 pm

The disgusting farce of this bridge and the Old Orleans dodgyness should be another shady deal that the “powers that be” delve into, when they have some spare capacity while dealing with the ongoing Housing Revenue Account fraud fiasco.