Issues and SWOT: Guildford

strength

Check how the open Ash bridge works for local journeys

Chester Bridge is open to vehicles and pedestrians.

An operating crossing can be assessed using real journeys.

Evidence

strength

Bring support closer to people in poor health

3.2% of people reported bad or very bad health in Guildford council area (21 March 2021). Across England, the figure was 5.2%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 2.1% in Burpham to 4.8% in Ash Wharf — a gap of 2.7 percentage points.

This is how residents described their health in the census. It can reveal differences between neighbourhoods, but does not diagnose illness or measure current waiting times. Age profiles differ between places, so these shares do not measure service quality.

strength

Connect local skills to local opportunities

44.1% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Guildford council area. Across England, the figure was 33.9%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 6.1% in St Nicolas to 22% in Bellfields & Slyfield — a gap of 15.9 percentage points.

Qualifications show one part of the skills available locally. They do not show whether people have secure jobs or work that uses those skills.

weakness

Keep the town centre reachable during North Street work

Construction is changing roads and bus-station approaches.

Shops and services still need reliable access.

Evidence

weakness

Make room for homes people can afford

Average private rent is £1,736 a month (August 2026) in Guildford council area. This is £277 higher than the England average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 7.9% in Ash South to 43.5% in Stoke — a gap of 35.5 percentage points.

Housing costs matter most alongside earnings and the number of affordable homes available. A local average cannot tell us whether a particular household can afford its home.

opportunity

Follow Park Road housing through its remaining legal steps

The October decision authorises agreements needed for permission.

A legal milestone can unlock homes but is not an occupied home.

Evidence

opportunity

Plan homes and care around an older population

17.5% of people in Guildford council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 6.6% in Stoke to 25.5% in Clandon & Horsley — a gap of 18.9 percentage points.

Age alone does not mean poor health or a need for care. Accessible homes, reliable transport and support close to home matter as people get older.

opportunity

Target safety work where problems repeat

Mapped police records are available for neighbourhoods in Guildford council area.

Published locations are approximate and some crimes are not mapped. Counts show recorded incidents, not the chance of an individual becoming a victim.

opportunity

Turn published plans into visible progress

3 named local projects or plans have official evidence in this collection.

A published plan makes responsibilities and intentions easier to inspect. It does not prove that funding is secured or that promised benefits have arrived.

opportunity

Target support where disadvantages overlap

Households facing two or more measured disadvantages ranged from 6.6% in Clandon & Horsley to 22.6% in Bellfields & Slyfield — a gap of 16 percentage points.

These households met at least two census conditions covering education, employment, health and housing. This is not an income or poverty measure.

threat

Keep bus services usable through the next construction stage

Bus-station refurbishment is forecast from January 2027.

The benefit depends on service continuity as well as a better building.

Evidence