Letter: Will New Bridge Really Speed Up Journey Times?

Published on: 18 Dec, 2024
Updated on: 18 Dec, 2024

Ash Road Bridge CGI

From Roshan Bailey

In response to: Dragon Interview – Lead Councillor Tom Hunt on Ash Road Bridge Delays

I don’t understand how the new bridge at Ash will “reduce rat running”.

It will undoubtedly be a relief for drivers (myself included) not to have the long waits while trains sit in and pass through the station, but the risk is that it will attract more outside traffic onto this route into Guildford.

An increased level of traffic, (with more pollution) might significantly increase the time needed to get to local schools and into Guildford for residents of Ash, Normandy and Wood Street Village (also myself included).

It will take time to balance out and see the overall effect but I really do hope that the overall balance will improve the situation for local people rather than provide a streamlined rat run for outsiders.

Responses to Letter: Will New Bridge Really Speed Up Journey Times?

Ben Paton Reply

December 18, 2024 at 8:03 pm

The new bridge was not intended to improve traffic flow. It was put there to “mitigate” the negative effects of all the new building in Ash.

In theory, the negative effect of the additional traffic from new development (say a notional minus 10) will be balanced by the positive/increased flow rate caused by the new bridge (say a notional plus 10). Overall residents should not be worse off.

Trouble is the reality is more likely to be detrimental ie the negative effects of the new traffic will only be partially mitigated by the bridge.

But the politicians will try and fob us off by saying the new bridge is marvellous.
Tim Down Reply

December 20, 2024 at 10:37 am

In response to Roshan Bailey, the road in question is the A323, and the purpose of an “A” road is for connection between towns. That is for all road users, not just for locals to drive their kids to school etc.

The world’s population has doubled in my lifetime and it isn’t any different in Aldershot, Farnborough, Mytchett etc. And road congestion is one of the small inconveniences as a result of this fact. I do not live in Ash but I do have to drive to places along the A323.