Farnham councillor: Get moving or miss out on traffic calming cash

Farnham councillor George Hesse is calling on Surrey County Council to urgently deliver speed calming measures and new pedestrian crossings across the town, warning a crucial funding opportunity will close at the end of October.

Among those backing the campaign is a Bridge Square resident whose Grade-listed home was nearly destroyed several years ago when a speeding, out of control car smashed through a wall into a ground-floor bedroom. Both she and the flat's owner survived, but were forced to move out for 20 months while the property was rebuilt.

Cllr Hesse said: “I organised a site meeting with Surrey County Council's senior highways officer, residents and the county councillor at Old Park Lane in March 2023, and a further walking visit to three town centre locations in October last year.

“Both of these involved residents raising concerns about speeding traffic, but neither resulted in any action.”

He contrasted this with Bordon, part of the same parliamentary constituency, where nine pedestrian crossings were installed alongside a pavement widening scheme in recent years.

Cllr Hesse is now urging Lucie Monie, SCC's director for highways, transport and network management, and Owen Jenkins, the council's executive director of place, to instruct officers to work with the Farnham community on safety improvements.

He said there is a limited window, from the first week of August to the end of October, to apply for Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy funds held by Waverley Borough Council, understood to total around £11 million. Any unallocated money will transfer to the new unitary authority when it launches in April 2027, with no certainty over how it would then be administered.

Cllr Hesse said he wants to see improvements made "for Farnham's town centre to make it safer" for pedestrians of all ages and abilities.

SCC has been approached for comment.