Guildford Borough Council (GBC) announced on Friday 22nd November 2024, that the opening of the recently named Chester Bridge will now be delayed until 2025. GBC had previously announced that the new Road Bridge in Ash would open on the 23rd of November 2024. Residents have spoken out on social media, explaining they are now left unclear as to how the planned closure of the A323 Ash Church Road / Guildford Road level crossing will impact them, as this was scheduled to take place after the original opening of the Chester Bridge.
Nearby residents received a letter from VolkerFitzpatric:
“Phase 5 of our works has been postponed until early December. We will confirm the new start date as soon as possible. Phase 5 is expected to take approximately 9 weeks. This will involve closing the level crossing to motorised traffic and the full-depth reconstruction of Ash Church Road between Britten Close and Foreman Road.
Please note, we have delayed opening Chester Bridge. It has been agreed that it would be prudent to wait until January to open the new bridge to ensure that the final administrative details are complete. We will let you know when the date to open the new bridge is confirmed.
We will advise you of a new diversion route to be used between the start of Phase 5 and the opening of the new bridge as soon as possible.
Although some traffic management will remain in place, no work will take place between 20 December and 2 January,
We apologise for any disturbance or inconvenience caused by our works.
These dates may change, so please check the Guildford Borough Council website for up-to-date information (www.guildford.gov.uk/ashroadbridge).
Please subscribe to receive regular updates, ask questions or provide feedback by emailing ashroadbridge@volkerfitzpatrick.co.uk. You can be removed from this list at any time
Yours Faithfully
Colin Bexley
Project Manager For VolkerFirtzpatric Limited on behalf of Guildford Borough Council”
In a statement to the press, GBC said:
Phase Five of Ash Road Bridge project to be postponed
“Phase Five of the Ash Road Bridge project is being postponed. Work is now expected to start in early December. The new bridge will open in the New Year To ensure the final administrative details are complete, it has been agreed that it would be prudent to wait until January to open Chester Bridge, rather than schedule an opening date in the run-up to Christmas.
The new dates will be confirmed as soon as possible, together with details of a new diversion route for cars and light vehicles to use between the start of Phase Five and the opening of the new bridge.”
Lead Councillor for Regeneration, Cllr Tom Hunt, said:
“It is disappointing to have to postpone Phase Five and the opening of the bridge. We will announce new dates as soon as we can.”
” It has been agreed that it would be prudent to wait until January to open the new bridge to ensure that the final administrative details are complete. ”
Perhaps it would also be prudent to delay the closure of Ash Church Road until the new bridge is open.
I agree that closing the Levvel crossing and the Bridge will cause huge major traffic disruption in the area. Why cant they close the Level crossing and do the work required after the Bridge has been opened. I feel be the construction company has no idea of the volume of traffic using the road especially in rush hour.
We seem to be unable in this country to complete projects on time. Why? We are never given reasons. Why? In this case, how much extra is the delay going to cost the tax payer.
Apparently the construction of the bridge must have come as a surprise to both Network Rail and Surrey County Council who appear to be winding down to Christmas as they can’t complete their own paperwork…
So all Volker Fitzpatrick can’t get it signed off and release retentions and all of Surrey CC’s contractors who were about to start work have had to be stood down until it is signed off, which will lead to claims from those contractors.
But hey, at least they don’t live near here or have to put up with the queuing…