Highways FAQs
Was a Transport Assessment (TA) conducted for the proposed development?
Yes, a Transport Assessment was carried out by Markides Associates on behalf of Guildford Borough Council. The assessment looked at the traffic impact of the development.
Markides are independent of the council. They used industry-standard techniques that assessed the likely traffic impacts. They then identified ways to contain and reduce those impacts.
How was the assessment conducted?
Data from a national transport database was analysed to estimate likely traffic generation. Census data was also analysed. This data was used to provide insights into travel patterns and levels of car ownership. Traffic modelling software was then used to test the capacity of junctions. New Paragraph
Was the traffic data collected during Covid-19?
No as the traffic data was not representative of typical conditions. To ensure accuracy, historic traffic data from 2014 was used instead.
Did you consult on these highway improvements?
Yes, we held discussions with key stakeholders, including Surrey County Council, Highways England, bus companies, and the National Trust.
We held two public consultations, which focused solely on the impact of the development on local traffic and highways. Further consultations took place during the outline planning stage.
Will the new development create even more traffic?
Yes, the development will create more traffic. The goal is to create a sustainable development that will help reduce traffic. This aligns with government policy and contributes to a healthier community.
To achieve sustainable development, we are incorporating a mix of uses. Housing, employment opportunities, cafés, and green spaces. This means not every resident will need to rely on a car for daily activities.
There are also measures to encourage people to travel without using cars. Improved cycling facilities and better bus services will give people more travel options.
While the development is not designed to reduce overall traffic and congestion, steps are being taken to mitigate its impact on the existing transport infrastructure.
How will these plans help with the already busy Woking Road and 1,500 more cars?
Even though 1,500 new homes are being built, it doesn’t mean there will be 1,500 more cars on the road. Our studies show that during peak hours, 8.00 am to 9.00 am and 5.00 pm to 6.00 pm, the development will generate about 500 extra car trips.
We’ve tested ten junctions along Woking Road to see how they’d handle extra traffic, identified problem areas, and designed improvements to ease congestion and increase capacity.
How many access points will the new development have?
There will be four main vehicle access points:
- GBC Depot Road / Woking Road – For buses and limited private vehicle movements.
- Bellfields Road – For private vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists.
- Slyfield Green / Woodlands Road – For private vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, with road improvements.
- Moorfield Road – to the new employment area. For industrial vehicles, buses, and access to the gypsy and traveller site.
How are the access roads into the development going to be improved?
To ensure better traffic flow, safety, and accessibility for all users, several improvements are being made:
- GBC Depot Road / Woking Road access will be an access point for buses and private vehicles. Vehicles will only be allowed to turn right into the site and exit left. To support this, an island and kerbing will be installed to discourage unsafe right turns. The junction will retain a priority give-way layout, and a ghost island will provide a safer space for vehicles waiting to turn. The road will be widened to 6.75m to meet standards for bus routes. A 3.5m wide two-way segregated cycle lane and a 2 m-wide footway will be constructed on the south side of the road.
- Bellfields Road is extended into phase one of the development. To support two-way traffic, on-street parking will be reorganised and new parking bays added. A raised table near Weyfield Academy will help slow traffic and improve pedestrian safety.
- Slyfield Green will be an access point for private vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. The public footpath will be diverted, and the road will be widened to 5.5m, with 2 m-wide footways on both sides. A landscaped strip with trees will separate the southern footway from the carriageway. There will also be:
- New parking spaces to help ease congestion
- A one-way system near the old Parrot pub to improve traffic flow
- Upgraded footpaths and pedestrian-friendly landscaping
- Moorfield Road. This entrance will mainly serve industrial traffic, buses, and the gypsy and traveller site. A bus and cyclist gate will restrict access for residential vehicles. A new ghost island will facilitate safer turning, and new pedestrian and cycle paths will link into the existing network within the industrial estate.