Hilton Hotel developer gives update on Victoria Way closure after storm damage

Victoria Way in Woking is closed again after strong winds damaged cladding on the Hilton Hotel
-Credit:Timothy Dodd-Wilson


A loose panel on the Hilton Hotel in Woking has closed Victoria Way for the second time this month. The building was battered as two storms hit back to back over the weekend.

On Sunday (January 26) the major road shut just 11 days after re-opening due to the unsafe building. The council leader and town's MP have expressed their frustration as the key route has been forced to close again. Its closure has a huge knock-on effect to traffic in the area.

Councillor Ann-Marie Barker, leader of Woking Borough Council, said: “I’m very angry that another panel has failed on the hotel building despite assurances from SRM (Sir Robert McApline) earlier this month that the panels were now safe and secure. Whilst the closure of Victoria Way is extremely disruptive and frustrating, safety is everyone’s number one priority.

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"A course of action has been identified to put things right and the council and Victoria Square Woking Ltd are urging SRM to progress this as quickly as possible. In the meantime, I am committed to keeping you updated and pushing for a permanent resolution so we are not in this situation every time there is an extreme weather event.”

She also thanked the emergency services who attended the scene on Sunday when a loose panel was identified. In December Victoria Way was closed for several weeks after Storm Darragh also damaged the building, leaving it unsafe for the road below to remain open.

A spokesperson for Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the design and build contractor for Victoria Square Woking Ltd, said there was no immediate reopening date for Victoria Way and the latest closure was expected to last for a number of weeks.

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They added: “In the aftermath of Storm Herminia on Sunday, which followed immediately after the powerful Storm Eowyn on Friday, one cladding panel was found to be loose on the western elevation of the hotel building.

"In order to ensure the safety of drivers and pedestrians, Victoria Way will need to remain closed until the exterior panel is fixed and further checks have been completed to a number of panels across the building. This will be carried out as soon as the wind speeds are within the safe working limits.

"It is not possible to confirm how long we will require Victoria Way to be closed at this stage, but it is anticipated to be a number of weeks and we will provide further updates as our works progress. We apologise for the disruption that the closure of Victoria Way is causing. The hotel and the rest of Victoria Place remain open for business as usual during this period.”

There is currently a signed diversion route in place.

Speaking about the closure, Will Forster MP for Woking told SurreyLive: "I'm very angry that Victoria Way has been shut yet again, Woking residents are understandably fuming. This is now more urgent than ever. Pedestrians are at risk from falling cladding, which is completely unacceptable. I'm urging Sir Robert McAlpine to take responsibility and acknowledge that even in the short term, this isn't good enough for Woking.

"Last time it was closed, Sir Robert McAlpine had offered myself a site visit, but failed to get in contact to arrange it. I have written to them once again to express my frustration and demand answers."