MP Urges Repair of Town Centre Bridge Five Years After Collapse

An elected Member of Parliament is advocating for the repair of a town centre bridge, five years after its collapse into a river following heavy rainfall. Zöe Franklin, the MP for Guildford, is scheduled to meet with the National Trust to ascertain the timeline for the restoration of the Tumbling Weir Bridge, situated in the town’s core. This bridge, along with the Wey Navigation tow path, previously connected Guildford to Godalming and was a frequently used route for cyclists, runners, and walkers. These individuals must now detour onto the heavily trafficked A281 to reach the path and the River Wey. The National Trust is undertaking the bridge’s repair, following discussions with Guildford Borough Council concerning funding responsibilities. Both entities shared the £800,000 expense for temporary weir repairs when the bridge failed in 2019. Subsequently, four years of deliberations ensued “to reach a shared approach” for the bridge repairs. The estimated cost for these repairs is several million pounds. Speaking to BBC Radio Surrey, Ms Franklin expressed her desire to understand the reasons for the prolonged delay and the anticipated completion date for the repairs. She further noted that the repair expenses might present a “financial challenge”. She described the bridge as “is a missing piece, because we want to be able to have that non road connection to Godalming and it’s just a really lovely walk or cycle.” This summer, the National Trust engaged a specialized engineering firm to conduct a feasibility study. The heritage charity stated that the report would assist in formulating a plan and a timetable for the project. A spokesperson indicated that an “extended timeframe given various complexities, the consents needed and the significant cost in charitable funds” was probable. A local resident informed BBC Surrey that “it would be lovely to have it back for cycling and walking”. The resident added that it would be “easier if the bridge was open” instead of needing to use the road for a segment of their journey. The National Trust commented: “We understand the importance of the riverside walks that the Navigation offers to the community of Guildford, and the role that these areas play for wellbeing, socialising, exercise, leisure and just being out and enjoying nature.”