Transport and Infrastrucure News

The group meets quarterly composed of members from a wide variety of backgrounds. The group co-operates with other groups as required on major planning matters.

The Group has produced a series of position papers on aspects of transport.  Recently it has produced an overall paper on Transport please read here.

Transport Matters

Transport has a major impact on Guildford, causing issues such as pollution, congestion and accidents. The Society believes a range of measures are needed to address such problems and manage transport demand.  Guildford’s Transport issues are also a hinderance to economic growth and the proper sustainable development of sites in the area.

The area is crossed by major strategic road and rail links. Its vibrant local economy, and location close to London and major airports, means it attracts significant through-traffic, including cars and numerous HGVs. This often means overloaded roads in the town centre and on main through routes, particularly the A3.

Guildford is a ‘gap town’, which has resulted in a complex set of access roads and railways. The roads and railways leading directly into the town centre are used to access different parts of the borough, as well as connecting to towns and villages outside Guildford.

While the town centre is the destination for several thousand people every day, people also travel across the borough to access the University/Research Park/Hospital zone, to work in the suburban office parks and nearby towns, or to attend schools throughout the borough and beyond.

Many roads in the Guildford area pass through Greenbelt, agricultural land and villages.  Development in the late 19th century through the mid-20th century has meant that this network is now substantially fixed. Several of these roads are cross-country ‘A’ roads with a single lane in each direction, with only occasional dual carriageways. These factors limit the scope for expanding capacity and varying use.

Public transport should be encouraged. This should be supported by investment such as extra Park and Ride facilities, bus lanes and service improvements and new stations on local rail lines, such as the proposed station at Park Barn.

Better provision for cyclists and pedestrians to support Active Travel must be a priority. Attractive routes, separated from road traffic, are needed, as well as joined-up cycle lanes within the town centre, and more safe crossing points for those cycling and on foot.

Local public transport between Guildford and surrounding villages should be improved.