Lib Dems welcome £95 million Government investment in Woking
Liberal Democrats welcome Government investment in Woking
Local Lib Dems have welcomed the Government's decision to spent £95 million on Woking's infrastructure.
On Tuesday 11th June, the Government announced that £95 million from the Housing Infrastructure Fund would be invested in Woking to revamp Victoria Arch and the A320 highway network south of railway bridge.
Liberal Democrat County Councillor for Woking South, Will Forster said:
"Since being elected as County Councillor for Woking South in 2009, I have been pushing for better access to the town centre and railway station from the south side of Woking. Victoria Arch and the roads leading up to it are inadequate for motorists, dangerous for cyclists and unpleasant for pedestrians. That is why the Liberal Democrats and I fully welcome the decision to spend £95 million on Woking's transport system."
Ward councillors Ian Johnson and Liam Lyons have also long campaigned for these improvements to bring access into the town along the A320 into the 21st Century.
"It will be good to see an end to the poor state of the current bridge, which particularly affected pedestrians and cyclists, and hopefully an end to the traffic jams on this important route into Woking" said Cllr Ian Johnson.
"This Government funding should enable Network Rail, Surrey County Council and Woking Borough Council to reduce congestion in Woking. Our local infrastructure is clearly inadequate and has not kept pace with the scale of development, thankfully the Government has finally listened and agreed to improve our transport network." said Cllr Forster.
Last year, Surrey County Council and Woking Borough Council consulted on draft plans to widen the Victoria Arch railway bridge and change the existing one-way gyratory system around Guildford Road, Station Approach and Victoria Road.
Councillor Forster added:
"Although I spoke to many residents who were supportive of the plans put forward in the consultation, they wanted to see the A320 and Heathside Road junction remain fully open to traffic. The Councils need to change their plans to maintain this key route."
"The Liberal Democrats and I also urge Woking Borough Council to fully support the businesses in Guildford Road who would be affected if this road widening takes place."