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Farnham town centre improvement works

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What's happening in Farnham town centre?

Farnham town centre is being improved as part of the Farnham Infrastructure Programme. There was a consultation on options for the town centre in 2022. The work is being carried out in line with the original plans, which received strong support from residents and businesses in Farnham. The works are progressing well, and we thank everyone for their patience.

Roadworks started in the town centre in February 2025 and are expected to be completed as planned by the end of the 2026. Once complete, the improvements will provide more space for shoppers and encourage people to spend longer enjoying the town centre.

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

Please see an updated visual plan of the Farnham town centre works (PDF).

Works are continuing and - in common with other major projects - there will always be a need to make sure everything is properly finished before works are officially concluded. This will include the replacement of a number of temporary utility covers on pavements and small outstanding works.

Current works phases

Whilst works are carried out in The Borough, works in Castle Street will be paused - opening as much of Castle Street as possible to minimise traffic impact of The Borough closure.

Construction teams are working on both sides of Castle Street and making good progess. This phase is expected to be completed towards the end of the year.

Traffic will be managed using two-way temporary traffic signals, in line with the current arrangement in place for works on the east side of Castle Street. Alternative pedestrian routes are provided.

There will always be access to shops and restaurants during their working hours. Deliveries to retailers will be facilitated – please contact farnham.infrastructureprogramme@surreycc.gov.uk to ensure this happens without any disruption or delay.

Please look out for parking suspensions which are in place, extra enforcement will be in town to help works to proceed without delay. The disabled parking bays near Café Nero currently remain available for use.

Please visit the temporary changes to bus services page for any impacts on bus services.

Final pavement works at The Borough are due to commence from the evening of Sunday 26 July. To enable the remaining work to be completed as safely and efficiently as possible The Borough will be closed to vehicles 24/7 for approximately three weeks.

Due to the nature of the works and the machinery required, including materials deliveries, dumper trucks, and breaking-out equipment, there is insufficient space to keep the road open to vehicles while completing the works safely.

Pedestrians will be able to use The Borough and cyclists can walk their bikes past the work site. Access to businesses will be maintained during their opening hours.

Please see a map showing routes around Farnham town centre when The Borough is closed.

These works have been scheduled during the school summer holidays to minimise traffic disruption within the busy town centre. During this closure, the team will work an extended day (during weekdays) and work weekends to reduce the closure duration, however, noisy activities in the evenings will be minimised due to the presence of nearby restaurants, bars and the hotel. Please note that extreme weather conditions, such as rain or heat, may impact the closure duration.

Temporary traffic lights will be in place between the Downing Street/West Street junction and Castle Street. This will allow works to be carried out across the full length of The Borough, from Downing Street to the Royal Deer Junction. The closure will begin after the last buses have passed through on 26 July. >

During this period, works in Castle Street will be paused; opening as much of Castle Street as possible to minimise the impact. All available resources will be focused on completing the works in The Borough as quickly as possible, with additional teams mobilised to minimise the impact on the town centre.

As with the previous closure earlier this year, a diversion route will be in place via Castle Street, Castle Hill, Folly Hill, Upper Hale Road, Hale Road and East Street. Bus diversions will also be implemented; the bus stop in The Borough will be suspended with the nearest alternative stop in Castle Street.

While overnight-only working was considered, this approach would have extended the programme to approximately two months and likely caused greater disruption to local businesses including the hotel, bars and restaurants in this part of Farnham town centre. We recognise that noise can travel further at night and apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

There are changes to bus services, please visit the temporary changes to bus services page or Stagecoach for details. While The Borough is closed, Castle Street's temporary stops will be moved further down the hill, and will be sited:

  • Southbound into Farnham town centre: On the lamppost column just north of the entrance to St George's Yard.
  • Northbound out of Farnham town centre: On the lamppost column just south of the dentist practice.

There are some outstanding works in Victoria Road which meant we weren’t able to resurface it in May.

Poor weather also means there’s some outstanding white lining works in South Street, Union Road, and on Riverside Walk and Borelli Walk. These will be completed at the same time at a later date.

Travelling around Farnham

Please continue to visit Farnham town centre and support local businesses during the roadworks. As the works progress, you may find things have changes since your last visit. Please drive and park carefully and with consideration to other road users and pedestrians. Parking enforcement has been increased to help tackle illegal parking.

For a smoother journey around the town:

  1. Avoid congestion in the town centre and gyratory system during peak times by walking or cycling if possible.
  2. If you are driving to visit Farnham, please consider using car parks which do not require driving around the gyratory and walking the short distance into the town centre if you are able to. This helps avoid congestion and reduces traffic for other road users who need to park close to their destination.

Please see the Farnham car park driving routes (PDF) for the different routes drivers can take to car parks with avoid or minimise use of the gyratory, and Farnham town centre car park walking routes (PDF) for ways to walk from those car parks to the town centre.

  • If you are travelling from the north or east, please use the Riverside car parks. You could use the newly reopened Riverside Walk if heading for the town centre.
  • If you are travelling from the west, please use the Lower Hart or Upper Hart car parks.
  • If you are travelling from the south, please use the Farnham Maltings or Station car parks.

For changes to bus services, please see the Stagecoach website or visit the temporary changes to bus services page. Please note that you can also use the Surrey Connect on-demand bus service.

If you are in congestion, please consider turning off your engine.

The Farnham Cycle Campaign is running a ‘give it a go’ campaign to help people to cycle more - visit the campaign website.

Key information

Keep in touch

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.

Files available to download

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