Loose cladding concerns after Storm Bert

A police cordon was in place on Sunday in Woking

Concerns over loose cladding on a high-rise building in Woking has led to the closure of a road and part of a shopping centre.

High winds during Storm Bert dislodged a panel on the building, Surrey Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS) said.

According to a police officer at the cordon on Sunday, a 35ft (10m) panel of cladding had come loose and was still attached to the side of the building, above a viewing deck.

An SFRS spokesperson said loose cladding was noticed on the building at about 15:00 GMT on Sunday, and that Victoria Way and part of Victoria Place shopping centre were closed to the public.

The road around the Hilton hotel was closed

A Woking Borough Council spokesperson contested claims that the panelling had come loose.

They said: "High speed winds caused by Storm Bert led to a small amount of visible movement to an exterior panel on level seven of the Green Car Park.

"As a precaution, Surrey Police temporarily closed Victoria Way. We can confirm that Victoria Way has reopened."

The spokesperson added that they would like to "reassure residents that the building remains safe" and that Victoria Square Woking Ltd was working closely with its construction contractor, Sir Robert McAlpine, to ensure that best practice continued across the project.

"We would like to thank Surrey Police and Surrey Fire and Rescue who attended the scene and would like to apologise for any inconvenience this has caused," they added.

In October 2021, cladding panels fell off the Hilton hotel in the town, leading to months of road closures in the town while repairs were made.

A Hilton spokesperson confirmed the loose cladding reported on Sunday was not from its building.