Surrey County Council agrees five significant new infrastructure projects worth £6.95 million

Five new infrastructure schemes that will deliver over £6.95 million of improvements for Surrey residents, have been given the green light by Surrey’s Cabinet today (26 March 2024).

Projects include village improvements, a new cycling and walking route and two flood alleviation schemes. The five capital projects are:

Godalming to Guildford cycle and walking corridor (Phase 1)

• A new 7km long cycling and walking route between Guildford and Godalming which will provide a continuous, safer travel route for both pedestrians and cyclists.

Flood alleviation schemes – Reigate and Smallfield

• The Reigate Flood Alleviation Scheme will provide property flood resilience measures for 84 properties that have historically flooded or are at high risk from future flooding. Flood resilience measures such as flood doors, removeable flood barriers, non-return valves, and air brick covers will be installed to minimise the impacts of flooding and protect local communities
• 175 high-risk Smallfield properties will also have property flood resilience measures provided, along with a flood storage area that will reduce high water levels through the village.

Kings Road, Shalford Improvements

• This project is looking to support more sustainable travel to Shalford’s local shops, encourage greater use of local businesses and create pleasant outdoor space in the village
• To achieve this, the project is looking at changing the road layout, widening pavements, moving the existing car parking and creating more cycle parking
• Early engagement with people living around Kings Road is due to start in April.

The Street, Compton, Highway & Public Realm Improvements

• In Compton, measures to slow traffic and other ways to enhance the village and public areas are under consideration – such as village gateways, improved biodiversity, and walking and cycling improvements
• An engagement event was held in early March where residents highlighted what they would like to see changed in the village. Those responses are now being reviewed.

£2.10 million of the funding will come from Surrey County Council, with the rest coming from external funding sources including developer contributions – such as the Community Infrastructure Levy.

The five schemes are part of The Surrey Infrastructure Plan which has been in place since February 2021 to help prioritise investment in infrastructure which supports sustainable economic growth and caters for the needs of Surrey’s businesses and communities.

Natalie Bramhall, Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure said, “This is about the council investing in Surrey – to improve the lives of our residents now and in the future.

“Since Surrey’s Infrastructure Plan was agreed in 2021, the county council has been able to progress a number of projects to improve the county’s infrastructure. These include the improvements to the Black Dog junction on the A308 in Staines, and upcoming town and village improvements in Weybridge, Farnham, Tongham and Horley.

“These five schemes will deliver significant, tangible improvements for our communities including those who have experienced the devastating impacts of flooding and our residents in Surrey villages where road safety is a concern.”

More information is available in the Cabinet paper available here.

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