Date:
The demolition works to clear the existing Triangle site within Woking town will recommence on Wednesday 20 April 2022, subject to pre-works surveys. The demolition is expected to last for 12 weeks.
The Triangle site is the pocket of land surrounded by the one-way system incorporating Guildford Road, Victoria Road and Station Approach.
This second phase of works will demolish the vacant terraced shop units and residential apartments facing Guildford Road, owned by Woking Borough Council. The rest of the site will be cleared once the final property acquisitions have been completed.
In line with national regulations, the Triangle site working hours will be Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm; Saturdays, 8am to 1pm; and Sundays and public bank holidays – no work will be allowed, except in the event of an emergency.
The demolition of the properties is essential to enable the Victoria Arch widening scheme, which will:
- widen this section of the A320 to improve traffic movement and reduce congestion
- replace the outdated railway bridge to provide more reliable rail services
- improve pedestrian and cycling facilities around the town centre
- provide the transport infrastructure necessary to unlock existing developed sites for town centre housing.
When the key works for the Victoria Arch widening scheme recommences later this year, the cleared site will be reduced in size to accommodate the planned widening of Guildford Road and the remaining area will be used as a safe compound for the scheme’s contractors and Network Rail.
The long-term plan for the site, as set out in the original housing numbers for the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) project with Homes England, is to deliver housing units on this site. The project team is currently working with architects to consider the housing development options for the site that fulfil Homes England’s requirements.
The £115 million Victoria Arch widening scheme is mainly funded by the government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF). The project is a once in a generation opportunity to improve Woking town centre’s transport infrastructure for all modes of transport and, ultimately, unlock existing sites for much needed housing.