New bridge name announced after public nominations

A road bridge in Surrey has been given a new name, after the public were allowed to nominate suggestions.

Guildford Borough Council (GBC) launched a competition to find a name for the structure in Ash in June and it has now been announced that the bridge will be called the Chester Bridge.

The name refers to the Chester Arms pub which was based near the station and named after the Chester family who lived nearby in Poyle Park.

All the entries were considered by a panel of judges, including the head boy and girl of a local school, a local historian and Curator at Ash Museum.

The bridge is set to replace the need for vehicles to use a level crossing in Ash, which the council previously said closes "up to 25 minutes per hour".

The bridge itself forms part of the Phase 5 traffic diversion route for cars and light vehicles.

Work on the next phase of the bridge will start on 23 November and is due to be completed on 24 January 2025.

Pedestrians and cyclists will still be able to cross the railway at the level crossing.

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