A Gold Plated Bridge for Woking?

Woking Council expect to spend up to £1 million pounds on a new bridge between Brewery Road Car Park and the town centre.  This new bridge will replace the wooden bridge which is in a state of disrepair (in my view mainly down to a lack of maintenance by the Council).

Since we learnt that WWF hoped to build a new headquarters on Brewery Road car park questions have been asked about who would pay for a new bridge and how much it would cost.  I have asked on two previous ocassions about the cost of the bridge and received no figure.  Suddenly the Council has told us it will be up to a million pounds!  Do they plan to build a gold plated bridge?

We are told the reason for the high cost is because the bridge will carry services across the canal.  These services could include Combined Heat and Power (CHP) with the pipes to carry heat requiring to be of a signifgicant size. The interesting thing is that WWF are yet to commit to using the CHP service offered by Woking!

Finally - a response from WWF

I finally got an update from WWF in response to my request for information on the new HQ plans for those unable to attend the consultation events.  They have directed me to their website which gives the "vision" of the new offices they want to build on Brewery Road car park.  They have also sent me two pictures which don't seem to show much more than the ones I took on my phone at the consultation.

If you do have more questions on the new headquarters you can send them to WWF at newhq@wwf.org.uk or send them to me at cllrann-marie@woking.gov.uk  I will be happy to help you get further answers or information from other WWF or Woking Council.

First sight of WWF plans for Brewery Road

Had my first sight of WWF's plans for Brewery Road car park tonight. Quite a few changes from earlier suggestions. Car parking is retained, as required by WBC. The new headquarters building is on stilts above the current car park. The building is 14m high and two storey. There is a curved roof and the design appears open with a fabric of natural materials.

My initial thoughts are that is is much better than other proposals for Brewery Road car park but it is a large building, taking up pretty much the whole site, car parking will all be under the building (thought it will be open to the side) and there could be access issues.

The building will connect to a new bridge over the canal (replacing the existing bridge). There will be access to the bridge from steps or a lift at the 'drop off' area and a ramp between the building and the canal. I have questions about the capacity of the lift at busy times, operating hours for the lift, support for lift problems and alternatives if the lift is out of action.

A 'drop off' facility for those driving people to or from the car park is provided. There appears to be no facility for coach parking.

I'll be going along to at least one of the consultation events over the next couple of days to listen to WWF's presentation and hear what residents thinks of the plans. I previously posted full details of the events.

Better Late than Never

I am pleased to be able to say that there is finally a little more publicity for the WWF consultation events. WWF are consulting residents on plans for a new HQ building on Brewery Road car park.

WWF is front page news in this week's Woking News and Mail and the Council has now put news of the consultation on its website. Whilst listing the dates and times of the events the Council website does not state that there will be a presentation on the plans at one of the evening sessions and the afternoon session. See my earlier post here for full event details.

I am also told, having chased it up, see below, that A4 posters are to go up around the area.

All a bit late in the day given the events are less than a week away but better late than never.

I have been asked what provision is being made for those who are interested to see WWF's plans but who are unable to attend any of the consultation sessions. I am following this up with WWF and will post information as soon as I have it.