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Guildford Town Centre has a long history of flooding from the River Wey. Flooding risk will get worse with climate change. If measures are not taken flood events are likely to be more frequent and severe.
A flood defence scheme to protect Guildford from the River Wey has grown since it was first shared with the public in 2018. but now "a larger area has been identified that could benefit", officials have said.
The Environment Agency, Guildford Borough Council, and Surrey County Council are collaborating to create a flood risk management scheme for Guildford town centre.
The aims of the scheme are to:
As the BBC has reported in January 2024, the fast-running River Wey burst its banks, in the town at the entrance to Millmead car park as river levels across Surrey rose after heavy rain.
Ten years earlier, during the floods of 2013-14, the River Wey reached its highest levels in nearly 15 years, flooding more than 160 properties in Guildford and Cranleigh.
The Environment Agency website nothes that: "The risk of flooding in Guildford will get worse with climate change. It is only a matter of time before we see another serious flood."
Guildford Borough Council has developed to an initial stage a plan to regenerate Guildford town centre that will, enhance the riverside environment, and make the town a more attractive place to live, work and visit
A flood alleviation scheme is central to unlocking several sites in the town centre. The Shaping Guildfords Future Team co-operated with the Environment agency to create a report on flood alleviation. This is the basis of the scheme being presented on the 18th April. The Flood Report from Shaping Guildford's Future can be Downloaded from the link at the foot of the post.
There have recently been two Drop In events and a Confernece call to discuss the latest thinking on the scheme. The Scheme covers Surface Flooding caused by rainfall and Fluvial Flooding caused by the Wey. The Area covered stretches along the Wey from Millbrook to Ladymead and surrounding Town
There have recently been two Drop In events and a Conference call to discuss the latest thinking on the scheme.
The slides used in the Public Consultation are accessible at the Foot of this post.
You can find more information about the scheme on the website at https://engageenvironmentagency.uk.engagementhq.com/guildford-flood-alleviation-scheme or follow on X @GuildfordFS
You can also email the Environment Agency at guildfordfloodscheme@environment-agency.gov.uk with your feedback or questions, or register to receive a copy of our newsletter.
Picture St Catherine's Lock Flooded 2020 - Guildford Society
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