Construction of new council depot begins

Construction of Guildford Borough Council’s new depot is set to begin following the appointment of McLaren Construction (Southern) Limited as the main contractor.


The new facility will allow the council to co-locate services into a single, purpose-built location and improve service efficiency. Once completed, it will be home to several council departments and services, including the teams that empty the bins, clean the streets, and manage parks and green spaces. Housing services and some administration teams will also be based there. 


The site will feature new modern office space, an MOT Testing Centre, engineering workshops and storage for the museum. The depot will also be equipped with green technologies, such as EV charging bays, that will accelerate our ongoing drive to become a more sustainable borough.


Deputy Leader and Lead Councillor for Regeneration, Cllr Tom Hunt says: “Relocating the current depot will release valuable land for the development of much-needed new housing in our borough. 


"Over the past six months, we’ve worked closely with McLaren Construction during a robust and thorough design process. This means we’re well-prepared before the construction of this important project begins.


“The new facility has been designed with input from the staff who will be based there, and a focus on sustainability and improving operational efficiency. The buildings will use less energy, less water and significantly reduce our carbon emissions. The inclusion of electric charging bays for vehicles will also support a transition to a greener fleet. 


“I’m delighted that construction can now begin.”


McLaren Construction has a strong track record in major building projects and a commitment to best practices for sustainable construction.


The managing director for industrial and logistics at McLaren Construction, David Gavin, comments: “At a time of limited budgets, the new depot delivers comfortable and attractive working environments for a wide range of council functions while also achieving great value for money. It should have a long and useful life for the council, adapting easily as the range of services and technologies change.”


Construction of the new depot is expected to complete in summer 2026. 


Once the new depot becomes operational, the current depot site will be redeveloped as part of the Weyside Urban Village regeneration scheme. This project aims to deliver 1,550 high-quality new homes to help meet the borough’s housing needs. It is part of a programme for housing-led regeneration of sites that the council owns. The scheme will also include new health facilities, community, employment and green spaces, as well as major improvements to existing infrastructure.

Community Drop in - 28 May 2026

May 21, 2026
Join us for our second community drop-in of 2026

Community Drop In - 24 February 2026

February 20, 2026
community drop-in on Tuesday 24 February 2026 at St Peter’s Shared Church, Guildford, from 4pm to 7pm. Latest regeneration updates.

Work begins to transform two major junctions on the A320 Woking Road

February 20, 2026
Work begins to transform two major junctions on A320 Woking Road Work to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and enhance safety at the Woodlands Road and Moorfield Road junctions on Woking Road will begin on Wednesday 25 February 2026. These highways improvements are part of the wider Weyside Urban Village regeneration programme. Both junctions are being upgraded at the same time so the new traffic signals can operate together. This approach will help reduce exit blocking, ease congestion and improve journey reliability along this section of Woking Road. Woodlands Road junction improvements At the Woodlands Road junction on Woking Road, the existing roundabout will be replaced with a signal-controlled four-way junction. Co-ordinating this with the nearby Moorfield Road junction will help manage traffic more effectively and reduce delays, especially at busy times. Moorfield Road junction improvements At the Moorfield Road junction on Woking Road, a series of upgrades will increase capacity and improve traffic flow. A new northbound lane towards Woking will be added and the existing northbound lane will be converted to another southbound lane. Providing two southbound lanes approaching the junction will help to reduce congestion and make it easier for drivers to turn into the Slyfield Industrial Estate. A new signal-controlled pedestrian crossing will also be installed, alongside upgraded footways to improve safety and provide better connections with existing walking and cycling routes. Traffic management measures The scheme will be delivered in phases, starting with the removal of the Woodlands Road roundabout. This work will take place at night from Tuesday 2 March for around six weeks. A lane closure will be in place overnight for safety and lifted each morning to minimise disruption to daytime traffic. Councillor Vanessa King, Lead Councillor for Economy and Place said: “These improvements are another vital step in preparing the local road network for the Weyside Urban Village regeneration scheme. The new layouts will future‑proof the network for new homes and community facilities, while also helping to manage current traffic more effectively. Being committed to becoming a more environmentally responsible borough, we’re also placing strong emphasis on creating safer, more accessible routes for pedestrians and cyclists. “The Slyfield Industrial Estate is a major economic and commercial hub for Guildford, so improving access is essential for supporting local businesses. By delivering the works in carefully planned phases and managing traffic thoughtfully, we can keep the programme running safely while minimising disruption for residents, businesses and commuters.  “This project is ultimately about preparing the area for the exciting transformation ahead and ensuring that the right access is in place as new homes, infrastructure and facilities come forward.”