Letter: Where Is the Evidence of GBC Action To Progress Flood Alleviation Scheme?

Published on: 13 Mar, 2026
Updated on: 15 Mar, 2026

From John Rigg

chair of the Guildford vision Group

See: George Potter’s comment on Guildford Cannot Afford to Delay Decisions on Flood Alleviation

If Cllr Potter’s confidence that the flood alleviation scheme is progressing as quickly as possible proves justified, I would be genuinely delighted.

However, given Guildford Borough Council’s rather mixed history of project delivery, some residents may feel that a little healthy scrutiny is not unreasonable.

Rather than debating motives, perhaps it would be helpful if Cllr Potter could point readers to the specific actions taken by the council that materially advance the scheme. In particular:

1. Planning weight – What formal resolution or policy status has been given to Shaping Guildford’s Future, ie the £2.5 million masterplan that identified and promoted the flood alleviation scheme which appears, so far, to have been quietly set aside?

2. Financial commitment – What concrete financial commitment has the council made to underpin the grant application to government, on which the Environment Agency’s bid for approximately 90 per cent of the scheme’s funding depends?

3. Planning preparation – What progress has been made on the essential planning work required to support the flood alleviation scheme itself?

If the council has indeed taken clear steps on these matters, I am sure residents would welcome seeing the evidence.

After many years of discussion, the people of Guildford understandably want reassurance that the necessary groundwork is actually being done.