Victoria Arch to re-open ahead of schedule

Date: 

Friday, 24 June, 2022

From 3pm on Saturday 25 June, the highway underneath the Victoria Arch will re-open, earlier than expected, to all road vehicles in both directions.
 
The temporary road closure was necessary to conduct targeted trial hole excavations underneath and on both sides of the Victoria Arch. The carefully coordinated works have assessed the underground conditions, such as identifying underground pipes and cables, and the results will help inform the complex highways revitalisation plan for the Victoria Arch widening scheme.
 
Cllr Will Forster, Deputy Leader of Woking Borough Council and Portfolio Holder for the Borough’s Key Projects, said: “It’s great news that we’re able to re-open this important section of Woking’s highway network earlier than anticipated. The Council appreciates that the closure has been disruptive to local businesses, residents and visitors to our town and I would like to thank everyone for their patience over the last three weeks.”
 
Throughout the works, access under the arch was maintained for pedestrians and cyclists.
 
The Victoria Arch widening scheme is mainly funded by the government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund and is project managed by Woking Borough Council, Surrey County Council, Network Rail and Homes England. 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.
 
The Council and its partners continue to work together to bring forward a solution to replace the Victoria Arch. The new Executive elected to lead the Council has pledged to reconsider the delivery options for the Victoria Arch widening scheme with a report coming forward next month. 

More information

Read more information about the Victoria Arch widening scheme