MP renews calls for third railway station in Guildford
Zöe Franklin urges government to revisit Guildford West station plans
Guildford’s MP, Zöe Franklin, has renewed her appeal for the construction of a third railway station in the town, advocating for infrastructure that accommodates new housing projects.
Ms Franklin is urging the government to revive proposals for a Guildford West train station, intended to serve the Park Barn area.
While plans for the station have been periodically discussed since the 1990s, they have yet to be implemented despite proponents emphasising the advantages of increased connectivity to Royal Surrey County Hospital and the University of Surrey.
“The western part of Guildford is growing rapidly,” Franklin told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).
“New housing developments will bring thousands of new residents to an area that’s already under-served by public transport.
“We must join up housing, transport and economic growth alongside infrastructure, not try to retro-fit it, when congestion and other problems have become ingrained and it becomes, I would argue, a much bigger project.”
Connectivity and Economic Growth
If realised, the Guildford West station would operate on the North Downs Line, which connects Reading with Guildford and Gatwick Airport.
Although the station was reported to potentially open by 2025, its development remains stalled.
Over the years, Surrey County Council has reportedly allocated funds for the project.
Surrey Live reported earlier this year that while the council retains its ambitions for the station, additional national funding is still necessary for progress.
Being a former Guildford Borough councillor, Ms Franklin acknowledged the new station's potential impact on reducing traffic-related emissions by providing an alternative to car travel.
“By providing a realistic alternative to car travel for thousands of existing and future residents, a new station could help reduce traffic-related emissions, supporting both local environmental objectives and national net-zero goals.”
Franklin also highlighted the issue of high housing costs in Guildford, which prevent many workers from living locally.
Enhancing rail links could expand the labour market, benefiting local businesses.
“I’ve been supporting this project since I was first elected as a councillor to Guildford Borough Council nearly 20 years ago,” Franklin stated.
“Now representing Guildford as MP, it’s given me more opportunities and a louder voice to work on this in earnest.”