Have your say on traffic in Farnham

People in Farnham are being asked to have their say on plans to tackle transport and congestion in the town.

Anyone who lives or travels there can comment on a vision document which has been produced by the Farnham Infrastructure Programme - a partnership between Surrey County Council, Waverley Borough Council and Farnham Town Council.

The programme is also supported by South West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt, and comprises four proposed projects and six themes.

The projects are:

• Short and medium-term improvements: these include considering lowering speed limits in the town centre and rerouting HGVs.

• Town centre infrastructure: this will include improving priority for pedestrians, encouraging walking and cycling, reducing traffic in the town and Upper Hale Road, and supporting better connections between different parts of the town centre.

• A31 Hickley’s Corner: looking at ways to reduce congestion and queuing, preventing the need for vehicles to divert through the town, greatly improving the connections in Farnham between north and south of the A31 and improving safety for all road users.

• A325 Wrecclesham Relief Road: investigating solutions to the high traffic levels through Wrecclesham village such as a bypass, and preventing HGVs striking the railway bridge.

The suggested themes have been created to inform and direct the development of the programme and include:

• Prioritise health, safety and wellbeing

• Place community first

• Respond to the climate emergency

• Enhance mobility and connectivity

• Support businesses and encourage economic growth

• Integrate digital technology into the new transport system

Locals are invited to give feedback through a questionnaire, as well as online meetings of the programme’s Local Liaison Forum. Exhibitions are not possible due to social distancing restrictions. Dates for the forum meetings will be available shortly.

John Ward, Leader of Waverley Borough Council, said: "The purpose of the vision statement is to make sure everyone has a shared understanding of what we feel is needed for the future of Farnham.

"It’s about ensuring that all the decisions we make are focused on supporting a thriving local economy and making Farnham an even better place to live, work, shop and play."

John Neale, Leader of Farnham Town Council, said: "The vision has been developed so we all know what projects we’re going to tackle together, so please take this opportunity to let us know what you think and if there’s anything else we should consider."

MP Jeremy Hunt said: "We all now have a real opportunity to shape the future of Farnham and contribute to the long-overdue improvements the town so badly needs.

"Everyone should feed in their thoughts as in the end any progress we make will depend on achieving a broad consensus that we are heading in the right direction.

"Compromises will be necessary further on - but if we can all agree on the vision it gives this project the best possible chance of success."

To read and comment on the vision, visit bit.ly/farnhamvision by Sunday 8 November 2020.

Printed versions of the questionnaire will shortly be available from Farnham Town Council in South Street.

If you would like to be sent a copy, call 03456 009 009 before Monday 28 October 2020.