Woking Borough Council cancels bridge widening project

Woking Borough Council and Homes England are no longer able to support the increased cost of the scheme

A bridge widening project has been cancelled by a bankrupt council.

Woking Borough Council aimed to ease traffic congestion, increase housing, improve cycling and pedestrian access by widening Victoria Arch in the town centre.

But the authority was advised not to proceed with the scheme due to an estimated cost increase of £53-£54m above the original budget of £115m.

In June, the council issued a Section 114 notice due to its £2bn debt.

In 2018, the authority, together with Surrey County Council, bid for £95m in housing infrastructure money to buy the Triangle site.

The council executive resolved to terminate the contract with Homes England on Thursday.

Homes England, which gave the council the initial grant, said it would not fund a smaller scheme, the meeting heard.

The decision to end the project received a mixed reception.

The chance for more housing and improved access and transport in the town centre has been lost, however three years of road closures is no longer needed.

'Eyesore'

Councillor Liam Lyons, portfolio holder for planning, said: "What a huge amount of work that has gone into unpacking a horrific mess."

He said shops and small businesses closed down prior to the failed redevelopment. Some found new premises and others closed permanently.

He added the site left behind was an "eyesore".

Another councillor, Peter Graves, said: "It does seem barmy to me to have knocked down before we owned (the land) or had any planning."

He added: "I can't imagine why that was done and I think residents, if they knew the truth, would be up in arms."

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