The Farnham Board and the Programme Team where provided the Final Draft of the Optimised infrastructure Plan for review on the 17th of September, 7 days before the Farnham Board meeting on the 24th of September.  

During the Farnham Board Meeting on the 24th of September, it was agreed that the programme should proceed on the basis of the Final draft subject to comments form the board members (Farnham Infrastructure Board (Hybrid Meeting) 24th September 2021 - YouTube )

The final version was published in October 2021 and can be accessed via the link below

Farnham Optimised Infrastructure Plan (surreycc.gov.uk) 

A31

• The FIP Team advised that they are still working on options which will be shared and consulted with stakeholders, which will include Councillors across the 3 Councils and Officers as well as other stakeholders before submission of the Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) to the DfT in November 2021.  

• Completion by 2028

• This project now also includes the Water Lane roundabout (verbally advised by Chris Greenwood during the 24th of September Farnham Board meeting).

Town Centre – this now incorporates the LCWIP work

• Final Draft of the OIP includes a scheme that doesn't focus on full pedestrianisation.  This was broadly welcomed by the Board.  There are still some that are keen to see full pedestrianisation.  

• The programme team will consult on their detailed proposals in the coming months  

Wrecclesham bypass and Western Link

• Initial work has been completed by the Programme team but not yet shared. 

Villages fighting for voices to be heard

The Farnham Herald, Thursday 3rd December 2020 - Vol.130 No.22

by Catherine Powell

Upper Hale resident, chartered engineer and founder of North Farnham Voice

THE VILLAGES of north Farnham have been there for hundreds of years – but are now blighted by poor road infrastructure, limited poorly maintained narrow pavements, minimal cycle paths and fast moving-traffic including heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).

One recent survey of local residents found the area “feels neglected and under-resourced compared with elsewhere in the town”.

The message is we need to get out of our cars and get around in other ways, use public transport, walk or cycle. But there are infrequent buses which are prohibitively expensive for some to use.

A return fare from Sandy Hill to the hospital for a parent and two kids under 15 is more than £10, and that is the nearest doctor’s surgery.

Safe walking routes between residential areas and local shops, schools and facilities are almost non-existent and there are limited crossings on the Upper Hale Road and Farnborough Road. The fast-moving traffic often means making a run for it and not everyone is up to that – nor is it safe.

Why don’t more kids cycle to school, they say! Where are the safe cycle route ?

North Farnham residents are, however, coming together to make their voices heard with the North Farnham Voice Group. There is already a Facebook page ( www.facebook.com/groups/northfarnhamvoice ) and plans are afoot for a website.

Residents support the proposal to ban HGVs greater than 7.5 tonnes as proposed under the Farnham Infrastructure Programme, and the need to refresh the speed signage with 20mph zones. However, there are lots of other issues that need to be discussed and addressed.

Proposals to reduce on-carriageway obstructions, including on-street parking, are not supported, as residents want less slower traffic and not faster traffic.

The on-street parking slows traffic down, in places shield pedestrians using the narrow pavements from traffic and helps with crossing the road.

Parking on the pavements is a problem as they are already too narrow in many areas for a pushchair or wheelchair.

The proposal to ban turning right from Upper Hale Road on to Alma Lane is not supported as it would again speed up traffic and just make other roads rat runs and many are very narrow although two way and have no pavements.

What is needed, in addition to banning HGVs, is more pedestrian crossings, traffic calming, reduced speed limits, cycle paths and more frequent and affordable public transport. There is also a real need for more community facilities for example a doctor’s surgery and more youth facilities.

■ Upper Hale residents are invited to have their say on proposed infrastructure changes at a Zoom meeting of the Local Liaison Forum on January 6. See www.farnham.gov.uk/towncouncil/llf for details.

Study recommendations presented to Farnham Board on 20th of November 

Recommendations 

In response to this analysis, our recommendations on the actions to follow are: 

Short term / quick wins:

• Provision of temporary loading bays (while Covid-19 restrictions are present)

• Undertake speed survey of Upper Hale and Town Centre

• Liaise with local business to understand willingness to consolidate deliveries in partnership with neighbours

• Produce guide / protocol for loading and unloading in the town centre

• Provide alternative mailboxes for local residents e.g. Amazon lockers

• Implement VMS height warning at Wrecclesham Railway Bridge and 

• Restrict HGV through-trips via Castle Street / Folly Hill and Upper Hale via weight restriction on A287 (e.g. no vehicles over 7.5T)

To be considered as part of the OIP (longer term):

• Introduction of micro-consolidation centres at local locations

• Refresh speed signage in Upper Hale / School 20 mph zone (Upper Hale) / 20 mph zone subject to outcome of speed survey

• Introduction of loading pads (with timed restrictions) on widened footways

• Review of parking capacity variable message signing in town centre

• Introduction of consolidation centre at strategic location

• Upper Hale - introduction of scheme to reduce on-carriageway obstructions including on-street parking restrictions and / or one-way priority working sections and / or one way system and 

• Upper Hale - right turn ban (onto Alma Lane)