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Farnham town centre improvement works

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What's happening in Farnham town centre?

Roadworks started in the town centre in February 2025. They will last for approximately two years.

The works will deliver:

  • Wider pavements, wherever possible, will give more space for shoppers.
  • New planting, paving and seating, so people can choose to stop and enjoy the town for longer.
  • Dedicated loading bays to support local retailers and reduce congestion.
  • Pedestrian controlled crossings and raised tables will make it safer to cross roads.
  • Two-way traffic at the bottom of Downing Street and on The Borough west of Castle Street to keep the town moving.
  • Two new bus shelters with real-time passenger information and level boarding areas.
  • Advanced stop lines and more parking for people who cycle.
  • Sustainable drainage to make the town centre more resilient to heavy rain

Current roadworks: junction of Longbridge, Downing Street and Union Road

Works to introduce a new junction layout at the junction of Longbridge, Union Road and Victoria Road began in May and are expected to last until mid-August.

As well as being able to access and exit Waggon Yard car park without needing to travel around the gyratory, the completed junction will have traffic lights linked to the others in the town centre, improved pedestrian crossings as well as new planting, paving and cycle stands.

A series of overnight road closures at the start of the current phase of works finished ahead of schedule. There will now be daytime works until the end of the phase followed by some further overnight closures.

Daytime works

Works are taking place during the day on weekdays, and Saturdays until 1pm.

The roads at this junction will be open, however the right hand lane on Union Road will be closed and lanes will be narrowed at the Longbridge junction.

There will be two temporary pedestrian crossings. There will be one on Union Road and one on Longbridge, as the crossing point at Longbridge junction will not be available.

The bus stop on Union Road will be suspended during this time. Visit the changes to bus services page.

Upcoming night works

There will be 10 overnight closures at the end of this phase to resurface the junction and install road markings. During this closure, a new raised table at the junction of Downing Street and Lower Church Lane will also be installed.

The overnight closures needed to complete the works at Longbridge junction will have a similar impact as the ones that took place late May. This means that between 8.30pm and 6am:

  • there will be no vehicle access to Waggon Yard and Central car parks, although people will be able to drive out.
  • there will be no vehicle access to Lower, Middle or Upper Church Lanes, Vicarage Lane, Downing Street and Victoria Road. People will be able to drive out – there is an exception outlined below.
  • Drivers will be able to access their property as usual on Union Road – there is an exception outlined below. To drive out, please liaise with the site team on these nights.
  • Vehicles may not be able to access or exit St Andrews Court on Downing Street, and the Old Court House on Union Road, between 8.30pm and 6am on specific nights during this period. The site team will liaise with the affected residents and businesses accordingly.

The closures are expected to take place late July or early August.

7 July to 1 November: Downing Street and West Street works

We will be starting work in Downing Street on 7 July. This will initially be on the eastern side of Downing Street only, between numbers 45 and 55. This will include the removal of some of the existing planters, but will have little additional impact initially.

On 18 August, and following completion of the works at the Longbridge junction, additional teams will move to Downing Street and West Street. They will be installing new crossing points, loading bays, greening, seating and cycle stands.

From 18 August:

  • Downing Street will close to through-traffic north of Lower Church Lane. This is for safety reasons during the works. Vehicular access will be maintained for residents, deliveries and emergencies. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times. This semi-pedestrianisation is a temporary change and the road will reopen to traffic on 1 November for the pre-Christmas period, before works resume in January when Downing Street will close again.
  • the lower section of Downing Street (between Longbridge junction and Lower Church Lane) will open to two-way traffic. This permanent change to the road network means Waggon Yard car park will remain open during the closure on Downing Street. Going forward, this change will mean people will be able to exit the car park and travel to south Farnham without driving around the town centre.

How will this affect me?

Shops will remain open as usual and access to them will be maintained during their normal opening hours.

If you regularly drive on Downing Street, from 18 August you will need to either follow the signed diversion route, consult travel apps, or - if possible - use other means of transportation.

If you live on Lower, Middle or Upper Church Lanes, you may experience some additional traffic, as some of the Downing Street deliveries will be routed via the Church Lanes.

The Union Road and West Street bus stops will be suspended during that time (except for the number 46 that will continue to terminate at Union Road). The Borough and South Street bus stops will keep operating as normal. Visit the changes to bus services page

What do I need to do?

If you are the owner or manager of a business located on Downing Street or Church Lanes, we will work with you to accommodate your deliveries. Information specific to how this will work will be circulated in the coming weeks. Please also attend business drop in meetings, or speak to the site team.

If you park on or off Lower, Middle or Upper Church Lanes, or Vicarage Lane:

  • you will be able to access your property by vehicle as normal at all times
  • to exit during working hours (7.30am–4.30pm Monday to Friday, 7.30am-12.30pm on Saturdays), the site team will walk you through the work area
  • to exit out of these hours, you will be able to drive southbound along Downing Street at walking speed.

If you park on Downing Street:

  • to access or exit during working hours (7.30am–4.30pm Monday to Friday, 7.30am-12.30pm on Saturdays), the site team will walk you through the work area
  • to access and exit out of these hours, you will be able to drive along Downing Street at walking speed.

If you usually park in Waggon Yard, from 18 August you’ll be able to drive east along the bottom of Downing Street and through the Longbridge junction when exiting the car park.

November and December: South Street and Union Road

Pavement and resurfacing work will take place in November and December in South Street and Union Road, which will include minor daytime works and overnight resurfacing and repairs. This has been scheduled so work can continue but with minimal impact on the town centre in the lead up to Christmas. More information will be circulated nearer the time to affected residents and businesses.

Future phases (detailed planning in progress)

  • Victoria Road, expected spring 2026
  • Castle Street from Park Row to The Borough, expected spring 2026
  • The Borough from Castle Street to Royal Deer junction, expected summer 2026
  • Royal Deer Junction, expected autumn 2026

Completed phases

  • The Borough (Castle Street to West Street) - completed in February 2025. These works allowed a right turn at the bottom of Castle Street and two-way traffic on The Borough between Castle Street and West Street, which is important to keep the town moving during the works. This is a temporary layout, which be made permanent later in the project. The works included the removal of the traffic islands at the top of Downing Street. Temporary traffic lights will remain in place until permanent lights are installed.
  • Improvements to the bottom of Downing Street, which will allow two way traffic after the completion of phase four. It will mean cars will be able to access and exit Waggon Yard car park without needing to travel around the gyratory.

Key information

Keep in touch

Strike up a conversation with our chatbot to find out where we’re currently working in Farnham, tips on how to get around, latest Farnham events, or ask a question about the scheme. Alternatively, you can text ‘Hello Farnham 3’ to 07411 188418

Please send questions about the town centre roadworks to farnham.infrastructureprogramme@surreycc.gov.uk.

Find out how to report highways issues, including in an emergency.

We are now holding regular virtual drop-in session for businesses in Farnham town centre about the town centre improvement works. It is an opportunity meet with representatives from the Surrey County Council project team and works contractor Ringway to ask questions or raise any concerns.
To be sent the meeting invite, please email farnham.infrastructureprogramme@surreycc.gov.uk with the name and address of your business.

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