Guildford residents have grown used to more and more changes taking place to the town in recent years, largely on account of the fact that there are so many developments happening almost wherever you look. Perhaps the biggest such development is that of the 1,650-home Wayside Urban Village, which has resulted in numerous different road improvements taking place.
Now, residents based in the Bellfields and Slyfield areas of the town are gearing up for more disruption as a major roundabout is removed altogether. Instead, it will be replaced by a four-way crossroad, which will be controlled thanks to the installation of signals.
Why This Is Happening
The Weyside Urban Village project is due to be built in the neighbourhoods of Bellfields and Slyfield in Guildford, resulting in more than 1,500 homes being created. Because of that, Guildford Borough Council confirmed numerous different phases of building work that began in 2025 and are due to carry on until 2027. The works on the local roads were split into three phases, so as to try to minimise any disruption as much as possible. We are now heading towards Phase 2, whilst Phase 3 is not expected to begin until next year and will focus on improvements to the Depot Road Junction area of the town.
Given the fact that as many as 1,650 homes are being built in Guildford for the Weyside Urban Development, the likelihood is that the number of cars on the road will increase dramatically once that is finished. The changes to the roads in the surrounding areas are therefore being done with the aim of making it much easier for everyone to get around in the coming decades. Whilst new homes are obviously the biggest part of the plan, there is also a move to create a new nature reserve, as well as new shops and even a healthcare centre aimed at serving the residents of the newly created homes that will open soon.
Goodbye, Roundabout
Roundabouts are a useful tool to keep the traffic flowing, but they aren’t ideal for some drivers, worrying about how to get on to them. The good news for those that aren’t fans of roundabouts in towns and cities is that the roundabout located at the junction of Woking Road and Woodlands Road in Guildford is being removed entirely. What will come into replace it is a four-way crossroads that will be controlled by traffic lights, meaning that it will be clear to cars when it is their turn to go and when they need to stop. Not only that, but further up the road there will be some new lanes put in place to allow for more traffic.
That is obviously going to be useful when the new Weyside Urban Development is finished and residents move into the 1,650 new homes that are being built there, given how many more cars are likely to be driving around the area. There were fears from many when the development was announced that Guildford’s road system simply isn’t equipped to be able to deal with such an increase in road traffic, which Guildford Borough Council are making moves to rectify with the countless roadway projects taking place in the town both this year and moving into 2027. Whether it will be enough remains to be seen, but it is a good start.
What Is Being Said
Councillor Vanessa King, the Lead Councillor on Economy and Place for Guildford Borough Council, has seemingly felt the need to say something to justify the introduction of such major disruption to the lives of people living in the town. Speaking on the matter, she said,
These improvements are another vital step in preparing the local road network for the Weyside Urban Village regeneration scheme. The new layouts will future-proof the network for new homes and community facilities, while also helping to manage current traffic more effectively.
Getting numerous bits of work done at the same time is considered the right way to go about it. King continued,
Being committed to becoming a more environmentally responsible borough, we’re also placing strong emphasis on creating safer, more accessible routes for pedestrians and cyclists. The Slyfield Industrial Estate is a major economic and commercial hub for Guildford, so improving access is essential for supporting local businesses.
By delivering the works in carefully planned phases and managing traffic thoughtfully, we can keep the programme running safely while minimising disruption for residents, businesses and commuters. This project is ultimately about preparing the area for the exciting transformation ahead.
More Work Coming Down the Line
Whilst the complete removal of a roundabout is obviously a huge task that will take some time to carry out, especially when you add in the need to repair the road and install traffic lights, it isn’t the only thing that is taking place in the area. Work is also being done to the junction that is opposite the Bellfields petrol station and the industrial estate entrance. By carrying out works at the same time as one another, it will allow for the exit to be blocked for as short a time as possible. It will reduce exit blocking in the long term, easing congestion for the cars that have to drive around the area.
It is thought that the entire improvement scheme to the road and footways in the Bellfields and Slyfield area will take a year to be completed, depending on the weather conditions during that time period. The good news is that the overall road improvements scheme is nearing its halfway point, so residents of Guildford and those just passing through won’t have too long to wait until this is all put behind them. The delivery of the likes of two southbound lanes approaching the Moorfield Road junction will ensure a reduction in traffic congestion, as well as ensuring that drivers will be able to turn into the Slyfield Industrial Estate more easily.