Local Committee Agree to Develop a ‘Maintenance Strategy’ for ‘Cobbled’ High Street

Published on: 21 Mar, 2013
Updated on: 22 Mar, 2013

Badly repaired setts in Chapel Street

A new ‘maintenance strategy’ is to be developed for the granite setts of Guildford High Street.

The situation was described in a report which formed the basis of a debate at the joint Surrey County Council (SCC)/Guildford Borough Council (GBC) Guildford Local Committee. The report stated: “Guildford’s steeply sloping cobbled (sic) High Street is perhaps the most iconic road in Surrey”.

“Guildford’s steeply sloping cobbled (sic) High Street is perhaps the most iconic road in Surrey”

Describing its condition the report continued: “Areas of cobbles have been re-laid over decades through the entire length of the road. However the majority are undisturbed so the overall appearance could be described as uniform with repaired areas discernible to the eye as well as sometimes having a different texture underfoot. Failing areas are evident where the joints between individual stones start to crumble, the cobbles loosen, and the surface drops below the surrounding road profile.

“In the last five years both SCC and GBC have invested several hundred thousands of pounds in repairing damaged areas, using different techniques and with varying degrees of success.

“Both authorities are now seeking to agree a maintenance strategy for the High Street so there is a planned and funded programme for future repairs.”

The next steps were identified as: completing a full survey; identifying the best repair technique; identifying sources of income income which might include private contributions; and reviewing the methods of delivery.

The report concluded: “SCC’s term contractor May Gurney are engaged to undertake all repair work on the public highway and their input will be essential in developing repair techniques and delivering the work.”

Lead Councillor for the Town Centre, James Palmer (Con, Shalford) said: “I am very pleased that we are moving forward again on this item.

“Why in the past have contractors dug up the high Street and then put black top down to replace the setts?” asked Cllr James Palmer

“Some parts of the High Street are in an unacceptable state I would raise the question why in the past have contractors dug up the high Street and then put black top down to replace the setts? Why has a proper repair not been enforced? It is not fair that the taxpayer has to pick up the bill.

“The GBC Executive is very much behind this initiative and we want to make progress.”
Bernard Parke, who together with fellow Hon Alderman Gordon Bridger, drew attention to the condition of the setts in February said: “To read such a statement, which misnames the setts as cobbles, does not instil great confidence.

“The High Street was originally laid with this kind of road surface back in the mid nineteenth century to enable horse drawn traffic to maintain a firm foot hold. Back in the sixties there was a proposal put forward to resurface it with tarmac but fortunately such vandalism was overruled.

“Piece meal remedial work recently has been unacceptable and one hopes that this new initiative will restore the High Street to its former glory.”

Gordon Bridger said: “I am relieved that our local authorities seem to be aware of the appalling condition of our High Street setts but can it be true that they have spent “several hundred thousand pounds” to “repair”, not very well, four patches of the High Street (and none, it appears, of Chapel Street). Meanwhile the other 80% (my estimation) has deteriorated.

“I suggest that they employ one full time skilled craftsman for a year, maybe a bit more, to work full time on the High Street This would be a much more cost effective way of repairing them than employing a team of contractors”

An update on the initiative will be reported to the Local Committee in June. See also: Opinion: High Street Setts, Let’s Have Some Action – Not More Paper and ‘Poor State of Guildford’s Iconic Granite Setts Makes Aldermen Ashamed’.