Statement from the Guildford Lib Dems on Surrey County Council’s decision to close Onslow Park and Ride
Guildford Lib Dems are hugely disappointed to learn that Conservative-run Surrey County Council has decided to close Onslow Park and Ride from 31st August. Park and Ride sites have always been recognised as an important element of transport in Guildford, and an essential mechanism for reducing congestion and air pollution in the town centre.
We regret Surrey County Council’s decision to close the Onslow Park and Ride. This means the loss of a useful facility for commuters and visitors to our historic town, the painful loss of bus driver jobs, and a reduction of business for Stagecoach.
It is shocking that Surrey County Council’s councillors for Guildford were not notified of this decision, including the divisional councillor for Guildford West, Cllr Fiona White, who comments:
"I am extremely disappointed that no-one at Surrey County Council made me aware that they were considering closure of the Onslow Park & Ride Site. I had no notification of their intention until I received an email timed at 17.50 hours on 5th August by which time the decision had already been taken. This was discourteous to me and to the people that I represent in my division. I would have expected that all the ten county councillors representing Guildford divisions would have been informed of such an important change to our services".
Until April 2023 Guildford Borough Council ran on-street parking enforcement on behalf of Surrey County Council and received an income from doing so. GBC used this income to help fund the 'park' element of Park and Ride. Last year, SCC unilaterally decided to take back on-street parking enforcement and award the contract to a third party. This removed the income to GBC, therefore removing the funding for the Park and Ride car parks. As the local transport authority, Surrey County Council agreed to continue using on-street parking income to fund Guildford’s Park and Ride schemes. Tuesday’s announcement goes back on this agreement.
There needs to be a long term and sustainable plan for Park and Ride in our borough. Provision of transport is a county council responsibility, and whilst GBC does not have the money to fund a scheme, we are keen to work with SCC to find ways that Park and Ride in Guildford can be delivered.