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Construction of a new pedestrian and cycle footbridge spanning the Basingstoke Canal will commence this week.
The new bridge, located adjacent to the existing Chobham Road highway bridge, will unite the two sides of the canal towpath without the need for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the busy road.
The bridge design will follow the characteristics of the surrounding area, featuring gabion walls, a non-slip surface, steel handrails with built-in bat friendly lighting and associated landscaping.
Cllr Ayesha Azad, Portfolio Holder for Asset Management, said: “Navigating traffic on the busy Chobham Road Bridge when crossing from the north to the south-side towpath has hindered and discouraged some from using the canal as a convenient way of commuting to, from and through Woking Town Centre.
“Constructing a new pedestrian and cycle footbridge linking either side of the canal will create an uninterrupted towpath that will not only improve connectivity, but also encourage more people to use the towpath.”
The first phase of works, which begins on Friday 1 November 2019, will commence with a fish rescue and dewatering of the canal between Skew Bridge (highway bridge spanning canal at Lockfield Drive) and Monument Road Bridge.
During construction, a short section of the towpath between WWF-UK’s Living Planet Centre and Brook House Common will be closed to users. A signed diversion route will be in place. There may also be short periods of highway disruption.
It is expected the new pedestrian and cycle bridge will be open to the public by summer 2020.
The work is part of the wider town centre improvement project which is part funded by Enterprise M3.
For more information, please visit www.woking.gov.uk/footbridge