Call made for paperwork for new bridge amid delays

The bridge is being built so that cars do not have to wait at the level crossing in Ash

Paperwork that is needed to ensure a new bridge - which is already delayed - meets safety regulations is taking “longer than anticipated”, a council has said.

Guildford Borough Council had previously announced that the opening of the Ash Road Bridge to vehicles had been postponed from November until the new year.

And in its latest update, the local authority called on Network Rail and Surrey County Council to "get all the necessary paperwork in place".

SCC and the Network Rail have been asked for a comment.

Guildford Borough Council's £44m road bridge project started last year

Construction work on the bridge by the contractor VolkerFitzpatrick started last year.

It is set to replace the need for vehicles to use a level crossing in Ash, which closes for up to 25 minutes per hour.

Pedestrians and cyclists will still be able to cross the railway at the level crossing.

A spokesperson for Guildford said: "To open the bridge, Network Rail and Surrey County Council need to ensure it is safe, complies with regulations and get all the necessary paperwork in place.”

“Some of these actions are taking longer than anticipated."