Guildford station pedestrian bridge access withdrawn due to fare dodging

Pedestrian access across a Guildford railway station footbridge is being withdrawn due to fare evasion and attacks on rail staff.

It will be closed for a three month trial between 4 December and 1 March.

South Western Railway said fare evaders have, when challenged, gone on to be verbally and physically abusive towards station staff.

But Guildford Borough Council said a permanent closure would require a new planning application by the operator.

Since the start of 2023 British Transport Police have been called to the station 20 times.

Pedestrians have been allowed to walk through the station and over the bridge since 1988, meaning fare evaders can access the platforms and board a train without a valid ticket.

Claire Mann, South Western Railway’s managing director, said: “We cannot accept anti-social behaviour towards our colleagues. The trial will be used to gather information ahead of an application to permanently withdraw pedestrian access.

“While this may be inconvenient to pedestrians who use the footbridge as intended, we hope they appreciate we cannot allow our staff to be verbally or physically abused.

“We must also address the problem of fare evasion, which is costing hundreds of thousands of pounds every year.”

Mark Killick, Network Rail’s Wessex route director, said: “We know most of our customers wouldn’t dream of behaving like this, but these statistics don’t lie.

“The data shows our colleagues are regularly being physically or verbally abused by people who are misusing the bridge passes, therefore we’ve got to take action.”

South Western estimates the closure will add about three minutes to pedestrians’ journeys, as they will have to use another bridge at Farnham Road.

But any plans to extend the closure would have to be approved by Guildford Borough Council, the authority said.

Planning lead George Potter said: “The planning agreement providing for public access to the footbridge allows for temporary closures and the details of the proposals will be reviewed to ensure they comply with the agreement. “Should South Western Railway wish to make this closure permanent, they would have to resubmit a planning application to remove the public access planning condition attached to the original consent.”