Part of high street closes to cars for three weeks

Part of a high street has shut to vehicles for approximately three weeks - although it could be longer.

The Borough in Farnham closed to cars on Sunday so final pavement works could be completed "as safely and efficiently as possible", according to Surrey County Council.

It warned that extreme weather conditions, such as rain or heat, could impact the duration of the closure.

Francesco Bartolomei, who manages the Bush Hotel on the road, told the BBC the works had caused disruption.

But he added it was a "price worth paying for a better future".

"The town was in a very bad shape before," he said. "We are lucky the local authority is investing in Farnham."

Farnham has seen a year of road closures after work began in February 2025.

Some businesses have complained about the impact on trade.

A councillor previously said they were "gobsmacked" after a contractor working on the project ran out of paving slabs.

Surrey County Council leader Tim Oliver said the scheme would "address longstanding issues relating to accessibility, road safety, air quality and the quality of public spaces within the town centre".

"We still expect that main works will be complete this year as planned," he added.

Surrey County Council said it had considered overnight-only working on the latest works on the Borough.

But it added this would have "extended the programme to approximately two months and likely caused greater disruption".

Pedestrians would still be able to use the road and cyclists could walk their bikes past, it added.

Access to businesses was unaffected, Surrey County Council said.

However, the bus stop in The Borough would be suspended.

The local authority added that works in Castle Street would be paused while the project was completed.

It said works had been scheduled during the school summer holidays to "minimise traffic disruption within the busy 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," the council added.

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