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Exploratory ground surveys underneath the Victoria Arch railway bridge and at locations on the south-side of the bridge (incorporating Guildford Road, Victoria Road and Station Approach) will commence on Monday 6 June 2022 for three weeks.

To complete the works in line with health and safety standards, it is necessary to close this section of Victoria Way to vehicles in both directions for the duration of the works. Signed highway diversions will be displayed on both sides of the town centre to direct traffic.

During the works access for pedestrians and cyclists underneath Victoria Arch will be maintained at all times.

The works, being conducted on behalf of Woking Borough Council, Surrey County Council and Network Rail for the Victoria Arch widening scheme, will include:

• identifying buried objects such as underground pipes and cables and determining their condition, construction and direction
• exploring the ground’s profile, and
• undertaking drainage surveys.

On-site works will be permitted Monday to Friday from 7am to 7pm, and Saturdays from 7am to 1pm, with noisier works confined between the core working hours of 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays, to minimise disruption to local residents.

Louisa Calam, Strategic Project Manager, said: “We understand that this closure will cause a short-term inconvenience for drivers travelling through Woking town centre and, in advance, we thank you for your patience.“Working with the contractor and the County Council we have reduced the duration of the closure by coordinating operations to run concurrently while maintaining access for pedestrians and cyclists.”

Giorgio Framalicco, Woking Borough Council’s Strategic Director for Place, added: “The temporary closure and specialist works are essential. The trial hole excavations will assess and confirm conditions at ground-level in order to deliver the complex highways plan for Woking town centre’s multi-million pound infrastructure revitalisation project the Victoria Arch widening scheme. Extending the working hours but limiting noisy works to between 8am and 6pm will minimise disruption to local residents.”

Two weeks before the works commence, highways notices will be displayed along the affected routes to inform drivers of the forthcoming road closure and diversions. When in place, the diversions will be as follows:

Drivers wishing to travel to the south side of Woking town centre (including Woking Train Station, Woking Walk-In Clinic and Woking Leisure Centre):

• At the junction of Victoria Way (A320) with Lockfield Drive, turn right onto Lockfield Drive and continue to the roundabout.
• Take the first exit onto Parley Drive and continue to the mini roundabout (connecting St Johns Road and Goldsworth Road) and take the third exit onto Triggs Lane.
• Continue along Triggs Lane until arriving at a mini roundabout take the second exit onto Wych Hill Lane.
• Continue along Wych Hill Lane until arriving at the main roundabout. Drivers have the option to take the first exit to access the south side of Woking town centre, the second exit towards Woking Leisure Centre and Old Woking or the third exit towards Mayford and Guildford.
• Drivers wishing to travel to the north side of Woking town centre (including Victoria Place, Victoria Way and Shoppers’ Car Parks):
• At the Turnoak rounabout (connecting Egley Road, Wych Hill Lane and Guildford Road), take the exit onto Wych Hill Lane.
• Continue until reaching a mini roundabout take the second exit onto Triggs Lane.
• Continue along Triggs Lane until reaching the roundabout and take the second exit onto Parley Drive.
• Continue along Parley Drive until reaching the main roundabout. To access Woking town centre, take the fourth exit onto Lockfield Drive.

The multi-million pound Victoria Arch widening scheme is mainly funded by the government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) and is administered by Homes England. The project is a once in a generation opportunity to improve Woking town centre’s transport infrastructure for all modes of transport, unlock existing developed sites for much needed housing and strengthen Woking’s vibrant business economy.

The revitalised transport infrastructure will provide additional road capacity, reduced air pollution, safer access for pedestrian and cycle journeys, more reliable bus journeys and will secure the vitality of the rail network.

For more information about the Victoria Arch widening scheme, the temporary works and how to contact the project team, visit www.woking.gov.uk/vicarch.

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