Next phase of junction improvements to begin

These improvements are being made as part of the Weyside Urban Village (WUV) regeneration project

The next phase of work to upgrade a junction in Guildford is soon to begin as part of a scheme to improve road safety.

A new dedicated bus lane and shelter, as well as a pedestrian footway, will be added to the Woking Road/Bellfields Junction during the 29-week project.

These improvements form part of the Weyside Urban Village (WUV) regeneration project, led by Guildford Borough Council.

The council said work on the junction, which starts on Wednesday, will mitigate the impact of a new 1,650-home development.

Tom Hunt, deputy leader and lead councillor for economy and place, said it was the third improvement scheme delivered this year as part of the WUV regeneration.

"Each of these schemes is part of a joined-up package of improvements designed to work together," he said.

"Once complete, they will improve road safety, keep traffic moving and encourage more sustainable ways to travel."

'Biggest financial risk'

The new toucan crossing in Woking Road has been completed, with improvements to Bellfields Road due to finish in October.

While Woking Road will remain open throughout the works, the existing bus lane near the junction will be temporarily closed and the Stoke Bridges bus stop will be suspended.

Overnight road closures to resurface and repaint road markings will only be needed towards the end of the programme, the council said.

Earlier this year, the council's chief financial officer Richard Bates warned that funding the WUV scheme was "the biggest financial risk" to the local authority.

The £453m project was given outline planning permission in October 2021 but has seen its potential deficit rise from £50m in May 2024 and will have increased with inflation since then.

At the end of July, it was confirmed that £20m in capital receipts and savings from the asset disposal programme would be used to support the scheme.

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