St Catherine’s Footbridge Closed – Complaints Over Inadequate Signage

Published on: 24 Feb, 2018
Updated on: 27 Feb, 2018

Notices posted at the bottom of Ferry Lane.

St Catherine’s Footbridge, over the River Wey a mile south of Guildford town centre, has now been closed for repair but some local residents are complaining about the lack of adequate notice.

One said: “They need signs at the top of Ferry Lane and other locations, warning of the closure and the diversion. The signs that have been posted are not prominent enough. I missed them entirely the first time I walked past.

Barriers across the bridge prevent use while the bridge repair is carried out.

One walker, who had approached from Shalford Park, said that he too had not noticed any warning signs on that side of the river.

Two weeks ago notices were posted about the bridge closure but it was then postponed without notice due to supply and contractor problems, leaving users of the bridge confused.

The Temporary Closure Notice which includes the recommended diversion route.

An A4 Temporary Closure Notice, dated 20th February, has been posted at the bottom of Ferry Lane and shows a recommended diversion route via the footbridge by the Guildford Rowing Club. But while the photos for this article were being taken several walkers arrived and expressed surprise at the closure.

The route over the footbridge forms part of the North Downs Way long distance footpath, used by many walkers.

David Goodwin the Lib Dem Surrey county councillor for Guildford South West said: “I was unaware the footbridge closure had commenced. I will investigate on Monday.”