Guildford’s Historic Millbrook Weir To Be Restored At Last
The Heart of Guildford’s Riverside History
For nearly seven years, a gaping hole has remained in one of Guildford’s most scenic walking routes. The dramatic collapse of the Millbrook Weir in November 2019, right opposite the Millbrook car park off the A281, cut off a beloved section of the River Wey towpath. This historic spot, where a weir has stood since the 1100s, is more than just a waterway management system; it is the gateway to a cherished green corridor connecting Guildford to Godalming. For local residents, dog walkers, and weekend ramblers, the closure of this footbridge forced frustrating detours away from the soothing sounds of the river and onto busy town centre pavements. The Wey Navigation is the lifeblood of our town’s natural heritage, and its temporary bisection has been a source of constant frustration for those who cherish our local landscape. Whether you are walking down from nearby Woking for a day out or commuting along the towpath, the loss of this continuous path has felt like a missing piece of Guildford’s identity.
The Restoration Plans and the People Behind Them
Now, the National Trust has announced that the wait is finally nearing its end, with work scheduled to commence. Tristan Brown, the National Trust’s General Manager for the River Wey Navigations, confirmed that civil engineering contractor Knights Brown has been appointed to lead the reconstruction. While large-scale public infrastructure projects like this require meticulous planning and years of approvals, they often mirror the patience required for our own domestic upgrades. While many Guildford homeowners have spent the years since 2019 busy with their own properties—scheduling local bathroom fitters for a long-overdue bathroom refurbishment or planning a complete kitchen renovation to modernise their living spaces—the town has eagerly awaited the same care to be given to this historic weir. The upcoming works will see a complete, like-for-like replacement of the footbridge, seamlessly integrated with a robust new weir structure. Local businesses along the navigation have been consulted to ensure that the impact on trade is minimised, and the National Trust promises that the main river navigation will remain open for boats, save for brief safety closures during heavy lifting phases.
What Residents Need to Know and Watch Next
What should Guildford residents expect as the project gets underway? In the coming weeks, contractors will begin establishing their site base at the Millbrook car park, meaning parking availability may be temporarily reduced. This staging area is crucial for the heavy machinery needed to dewater the weir. The actual reconstruction is slated for a tight three-month window in the summer of 2026, a schedule heavily dependent on water levels and weather conditions. Local residents are advised to plan their journeys ahead, particularly when using the Millbrook car park, and to keep an eye out for safety signage along the river. Once the new structure is tested and the interim temporary weir is removed, the river will return to its full width and the direct walking route to Godalming will be fully restored. This project represents a major victory for community persistence and conservation. To stay updated on the progress or to find alternative walking routes during the transition, residents can check the National Trust’s Wey Navigation website or visit the local information centre at Millmead.
Source: Much loved Guildford footpath to be restored after dramatic collapse
