22 July 2014
Funding secured for Victoria Arch enhancements
Enterprise M3, the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for the M3 corridor, has secured £118m in funding from the Government's Local Growth Fund to invest in key infrastructure projects across Surrey and Hampshire, including a scheme to enhance Woking's Victoria Arch.
The Victoria Arch scheme will address the most serious pinch-point along the main arterial route between Guildford and Woking. The scheme will incorporate the construction of new pedestrian and cycle tunnels through the embankment either side of Victoria Arch on the A320 and allow for the existing carriageway to be widened from two to three lanes. It will also enable enhancements to the existing junctions with Goldsworth Road and Guildford Road, all aimed at improving traffic flow to and from the Arch.
Cllr John Kingsbury, Leader of Woking Borough Council, said: "We are delighted that Enterprise M3 has secured this funding from Central Government. Victoria Arch is seen by many drivers as a serious pinch-point, causing long delays at peak times to their journey through Woking. This scheme will not only go a long way in alleviating this problem, but will also support the continued economic growth and regeneration of Woking Town Centre's commercial and residential areas, while stimulating job creation.
"We are still at the early stages of the scheme and we now look forward to working closely with our partner, Surrey County Council, and key stakeholders, South West Trains and Network Rail, in making this important infrastructure project a reality."
Geoff French, Chair of Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: "This Growth Deal is excellent news for the Enterprise M3 area. We are extremely pleased that our Deal includes £7.5million of Government funding for the Victoria Arch improvements in Woking.
"Our Strategic Economic Plan identified Woking as one of four Growth Towns which are key to the ongoing economic success of the Enterprise M3 area. These improvements will play a vital role in addressing the area's traffic congestion issues and improving travel conditions for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians and, as a result, will support the economic growth aspirations of both Woking and the wider Enterprise M3 area."
It is anticipated that the scheme will commence during the construction, subject to planning permission, of Victoria Square, an exciting new development delivering new shopping, a hotel, apartments and other improvements to Woking Town Centre.
