Bridge replacement at risk of weather delays

The bridge over the weir collapsed in 2019

It has been six years since a bridge in Surrey collapsed and although work to rebuild it has been scheduled for next year, the National Trust has warned it could be delayed by the weather.

The Tumbling Bay Weir Bridge in Guildford, which dates back to the early 1900s, was washed away on 2 November 2019 after a period of high water.

A detour has been in place ever since and the National Trust said it was now confident the bridge would be replaced in summer 2026.

But it has warned it has "a very narrow three-month window of opportunity" to complete the works during periods of low water, meaning there is risk the date will be pushed back.

Following discussions with Guildford Borough Council the trust assumed responsibility for repairing the bridge in November 2023.

A spokesperson for the National Trust said it had spent this year tendering for the construction phase of the project and working with a variety of agencies and engineers to ensure that any flood risks posed by the works are mitigated.

"We now have a detailed technical approach, which has been designed by experts, of how to repair the damage," they said.

"We're also working with environmental authorities to gain relevant permissions.

"It's our hope that the replacement works and reinstatement of access by way of the footbridge will take place over the summer of 2026."