Guildford Area Flood by Alan Kenny

Guildford Flood September 15/16th 1968 by Alan Kenny


September 1968: High Tide in Guildford - AEC Reliance 335 cruising through a flooded Onslow Street. The original Dennis Motor Works premises is in the background.
(Photo: ADBIG Archives)

On Sunday 15th September a small family group of us booked an Tracco day excursion from Woking on the Dorset tour, encompassing Corfe Castle and Lulworth Cove. The coach, I think, was one of the 36-foot Park Royal bodied AEC Reliances if memory serves, with one of the four Harry's from Woking, driving, possibly Harry Lagden.

Unfortunately, it bucketed down with heavy rain the entire day without a break, so we did not venture much outside the coach during stops other than to dash into pubs, tea rooms and cafes for refreshments and lunch. On our return, approaching Guildford, driving down Portsmouth Road from St Catherine’s, we saw that the town bridge at the bottom of the High St was submerged, and we found that we could not cross the river at Bridge Street, as the water had risen to cover the bridge there as well.

We had to turn left up Farnham Road and detour via Onslow Village and Dennisville to get on to the A3 and continue our route to Woking on higher ground.


The town bridge at the bottom of the High Street with the St Nicholas Church under water.
(You can still see the highwater mark plate on the church wall today. Ed.)
The next day, Monday 16th I was working as a delivery driver in Guildford and took my camera to take the photos attached here, as I drove my van around the area. It took a few days for the waters to subside and a few weeks to do the clearing up.


Guildford, Farnham Road Bus Station looking East, with Plummer’s store in the background.


Guildford, Farnham Road Bus Station: Kayaking over the footbridge to Onslow Street Bus Station.


Onslow Street, Guildford, looking West with Onslow Street Bus Station on left


Onslow Street, Guildford, looking East with Onslow Street Bus Station on right.


Onslow Street, Guildford: An Ind Coope lorry is heading for the brewery on right.

Godalming

Bridge Street, An Alexander bodied Dennis Loline lll (449) 449 EOT about to cross the River Wey on en route to Guildford.

From the Aldershot & District Bus Interest Group's Newsletter, Issue No. 114
Autumn 2022
Aldershot & District Bus Interest Group Website

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