Why is part of Woking town centre so windy?

People living and working in part of a Surrey town centre say the area has become a "wind tunnel".

Commercial Way and Victoria Square, in Woking, are home to many high-rise blocks which can force strong winds downwards and funnel them through gaps between buildings, creating sudden, fast-moving gusts.

Planning documents for the Victoria Square development show these effects were anticipated as far back as 2014, as wind modelling found the scheme would "slightly exacerbate" conditions with some spots unsuitable for long periods of sitting.

Helen Brook, who has lived in Woking for 30 years and uses a rollator mobility aid, said the issue had a real impact on her daily life and described being "pushed backwards" by gusts while trying to reach the community hospital.

She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "It makes a hard walk a lot tougher. The extra wind resistance takes more energy to walk through."

"The maximum number of steps I can do in a day is 1,500. Anything like the wind tunnel vastly reduces that and the recovery time is days longer."

Others have raised similar concerns, describing the High Street as a "wind tunnel" and saying bus stops are particularly exposed, with gusts "whipping around" passengers.

Developers say design tweaks can help soften the impact.

Measures such as trees, screens, recessed entrances and canopies are often used to break up airflow and create shelter.

However, Woking Borough Council said there were no plans to make changes to the square.

Beverley Kuchar, the council's strategic director for place, said: "We do recognise that wind conditions in Victoria Square and along Commercial Way vary depending on the weather and can feel more noticeable at certain times.

"Whilst we welcome the feedback from residents and visitors, there are currently no plans to make changes to Victoria Square."

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