THE £150,000 improvement scheme for Wey Hill is set to get under way at the beginning of next year.

The Surrey County Council project to smarten up the area with trees and bollards, traffic calming and complete re-surfacing of the road, was originally opposed by the Chamber of Trade and other local businessmen, but a compromise has now been agreed.

It followed a call for a radical re-think about the improvement scheme and concerns that the proposed safety measures could make the situation even worse on one of Haslemere's busiest roads.

After consultation between representatives of Surrey County Council, members of the Chamber of Trade and Commerce and Haslemere town councillors, a number of amendments have been made.

Aimed at cutting down almost 30 accidents in the area over the last three years, 17 of which had involved pedestrians, among the measures agreed were to look at providing a delivery and loading bay close to Bakers the flooring shop and The Granary, as well as on the opposite side of the road.

Plans to put a traffic calming pinch point opposite the library has been abandoned and painted cross hatching should allow for the access of vehicles from St. Christopher's Road.

Another pinch point at the top to Wey Hill would remain.

It was agreed that litter bins would be provided in the area and new lamp posts installed through to Junction Place, funds permitting.

Trees and lamp posts, it was promised, would be positioned in such a way to allow for cars to avoid emergency vehicles.

While there is no intention to move the bus stop to outside the shops near Junction Place, current plans include a move to outside the Methodist Church Among other possibilities are the Wey Hill side of the new Haslewey community building or outside Lloyds Bank in Wey Hill.

The lights at Tesco, still causing hold-ups since they were installed three years ago "needed to be addressed as a matter of urgency".

The re-surfacing of the road would follow on from the improvement scheme and take around five weeks to complete with traffic light control in place.