UPDATE - LATE SUMMER 2024

Lots of things by way of an update, some have involved WBDRA as a whole, some just the Chair trying to do a bit for our area.

Eiffel Tower Fungus - Oakfields TPO Oak

Storm Henk in early 2024 caused widespread damage around and during its passing, the base of the large Oak Tree at the bottom of Oakfields by the Allotment gate had become uncovered exposing a large hole in the trunk.

WBDRA contacted GBC concerned about the tree's safety and within 48 hours, GBCs' Tree Team were out to inspect it. They explained the hole was caused by the Eiffel Tower Fungus (aka Oak Bracket Fungus). When the tree is attacked by this fungus, it sends stabilising roots down into the soil to keep the tree in place and over time the centre of the tree gets eaten away.

It is good news that this tree is still both healthy and stable. Later in the year, the Tree Team returned to trim the top section reducing its weight whihc in turn increased its stability. 

Rough Sleeper in Broadacres

Spotted mention of this on our local WhatsApp and on checking it had been an ongoing issue for a few weeks. Basically a guy was living out of a VW car parked opposite to Beavers Close, one resident had spoken with him, several had seen him come & go form the car and one lady was alarmed to see the man sleeping in the car. Having checked the car (and seen to be doing so) then checked possible course of actions, the car drove off. Disappointing to note that the homeless charity that WBDRA contacted never bothered to reply!

Unlicensed HMO & tenant nuisance

First became aware of this when 2 untaxed vehicles were dumped on a neighbours' parking bays. The neighbour was somewhat stressed out by this as were residents who own nearby properties. Found out via the local WhatsApp where the cars came from and the house associated with the cars had something like 15 occupants causing lots of local issues. WBDRA have advised locals what they can do about it.

Bad & Dangerous Drivers 

Worplesdon Parish Council conducts regular Speed Watch sessions in around the area.  Broad Street is a particulary bad road for speeders - one was recently clocked at over 90mph!

The top of Broadacres is an increasingly dangerous Rat Run with out of town traffic taking a short cut to Egerton Rd and the town via Park Barn Drive. Despite white lines at the junction of Wood Rise, clearly indicating the right of way, drivers fail to stop or slow down, fail to look for oncoming traffic and as well as failing to indicate.

During rush hours bad driver behaviour is the cause of lot of near miss incidents for all residents of the Broadacres Estate. WBDRA has approached Surrey County Council to ask for the white lines to be redone and for signage to be considered.

Allotment Update

Good news is that the remade plots on the Aldershot Road site are now fully let (we're told) and new tenants seem to busy weeding and planting. We hear there were some issue with the "sustainable" water upply and understand that has been resolved.

Why these plots had to be named the Woodside Road Allotments is an oddity as local history and those of us with long memories know the whole area had been known as Aldershot Road Allotments for many decades

The waiting list across the Borough is around the 400 mark which is good news for Allotmenteers present and future.

At time of writing, the question remains - what's happening about North Moors?

Housing at Westway/Puttocks

The development looks to be on the home straight despite reported local  (and national) shortages of bricks and bricklayers. The builders, ABRI, have been most helpful with queries from WBDRA and tenants.

But what is worrying is that there's a lot of interest in the almost completed units from London residents which is very reminiscent of what happened at the old MAFF/DEFRA site on Epsom Road. If this proves to be the case, what about housing for Guildford people? Shouldn't our Council insist on a local people first clause when approving developments like this one and others.

Wildlife & Pollinators

We have commented bfeoe on the devastting effect of excessive tree removal by GBC & their contractors. A whole line of long establshed trees were ripped up with subsequent loss of bats and birdlife - and for what?  A pathway which is unusable except for foxes and rats!

Sadly the predominant bird species on the Allotment Site is Magpies. 

A nationally poor year for Butterflies and it's no different here. The usual native species have been observed but in much smaller numbers. Also a poor year for Wasps (all types) and Hoverflies (which are pollinators)

The number of hives has been reduced following complaints by tenants last year about escaping swarms and the reduced Honey Bee presence is very noticeable. Pleased to say that several Bumble Bee/Solitary Bee species are still thriving.

Our local Fox community is doing well and in common with many areas in Guildford, rats are everywhere and proliferating.

Keeping in touch

WBDRA remains a subscribing member of Guildford Residents Association (GRA), also CPRE and the Open Spaces Society. We also have a strong association with Worplesdon Parish Council.