Updated: Bang Go the Railings Yet Again in a Guildford Conservation Area

Published on: 13 Aug, 2018
Updated on: 13 Aug, 2018

The Volkswagen went over a pavement and crashed through iron railings, visible in the photo. It came to rest against the front wall of a roadside cottage. Photo John Schluter

The peace of Saturday night was shattered for the residents of the seven-cottage vintage Victorian terrace in St Catherine’s when a Volkswagen Sharan, driven from Guildford towards Godalming, crashed into their front railings, luckily ending only inches from a wall behind which a vulnerable young couple was seated watching TV.

John Schluter, whose own terrace house is only two doors from the crash site, heard and felt the impact on the 1895-built terrace and managed to photograph the scene within minutes. He said: “I saw the driver and his passenger running towards Godalming and I am told the police apprehended them.”

The driver and passenger are believed to have run off but been apprehended by Surrey police. Photo John Schluter

For more than 20 years, residents have expressed deep concerns about safety at this much-narrowed stretch of Portsmouth Road, with two pedestrian island crossings within 100 yards, one behind a blind corner. A Speedwatch team of local volunteers, which some felt was ineffective, ceased operating five years ago. Two illuminated speed warning signs are in place but are frequently not working.

A police officer, talking to the house occupant, at the scene of the incident last night. Photo John Schluter

Mr Schluter, retired director of an air-conditioning and heating firm, added later: “There have been at least 10 similar accidents here in as many years, including a fatality two years ago. But as the attending police officer said last night, this is not a dangerous stretch of road if you are doing 30 mph.”

Many vehicles exceed the limit, Mr Schluter went on. “Perhaps the authorities should consider a solid, not humped, roundabout at the junctions of Portsmouth Road, Chestnut Avenue, Turnham Close and maybe a warning sign about the blind corner from Guildford?

The scene the next morning (Aug 12) showing the railings completely uprooted and destroyed.

“Nothing seems to be being done about trying to reduce the number of accidents. Had anyone been walking along that section of pavement, the vehicle would have rammed them through the railings. It doesn’t bear thinking about.”

Another terrace resident, retired journalist Don Johnston, a disabled widower, said: “Like John, this is the third time in more than 30 years here my railings have been shattered by drivers from Guildford, hammering down that blind corner, most of them drunk.

Opposite the scene of last night’s incident a damaged wall, already reconstructed in recent years after a previous incident, remains demolished.

“I like going over to my local, The Olde Ship Inn, but it is so scary on a Rollator walker there and back that I have to spend stretches in isolation. Very few drivers have the decency or courtesy to pause and let me cross the pedestrian island in safety.

“I do feel sorry for the young couple next door having lost their entire railings system although I have lost only part of mine. The blacksmithing repairs for them are going to be costly. Last time, mine came to nearly £6,000.”

Surrey Police have been asked for a comment. Please check for updates.