A Farnham town councillor has called for the Farnham Infrastructure Programme (FIP) to be halted, citing damage to local businesses and growing anger among residents.

Liberal Democrat councillor Tony Fairclough tabled a motion to pause the scheme at Farnham Town Council’s full council meeting on Thursday, October 31.

The proposal provoked outrage from members of the Farnham Residents Group, which he defected from last month.

Cllr Fairclough, who is also deputy leader of Waverley Borough Council, told the meeting: “I’ve spoken to four traders, and when I asked if stopping the infrastructure works would help, they said it would be excellent. People are fed up with it.”

The meeting began with a statement from resident Ionella, who spoke passionately about the impact of parking charges and roadworks on town centre footfall.

While parking fees were a major concern, Cllr Fairclough argued that the roadworks themselves were the root cause of Farnham’s economic struggles.

The debate quickly became heated, with councillors divided over whether parking costs or the FIP’s disruption were to blame.

Tensions were further heightened by Cllr Fairclough’s recent defection from the Farnham Residents Group to the Liberal Democrats.

Several councillors shared feedback from residents and referenced social media criticism of both the FIP and Waverley Borough Council’s decision to increase parking fees before the works began.

Liberal Democrat councillors Mat Brown, Mark Merryweather and Tony Fairclough all supported exploring a pause to the FIP.

Cllr Brown added: “Most people I speak to say they’re not coming to Farnham because of the roadworks, so parking isn’t the issue.”

Defending the FIP, Cllr Graham White said: “We all knew the fragility of the funding for this project. A further delay would not be a postponement — it would be a cancellation.”

Cllr Tim Woodhouse said: “I’d like to recommend Waverley consider two hours’ free parking and a cut in business rates. If the FIP is stopped, we’re only kicking the can down the road. Farnham Town Council needs to stick together and finish this job.”

Cllr Alan Earwaker said: “I’d like to call a spade a spade. This is all political. I hate politics, and that’s why I became a councillor for the Farnham Residents Group.”

Cllr John Ward added: “We’ve all heard the story of the conversion of St Paul on the road to Damascus, and now we’ve heard the story of Cllr Fairclough’s conversion on the way to the polls. What we’ve heard is a political party motion.”

The motion did not progress after Cllr Fairclough said he “respected the will of the council”.

The debate sets the tone ahead of next year’s unitary elections and Friday’s Farnham Board meeting, where councillors from the Conservatives, Farnham Residents Group and Liberal Democrats will continue discussions on the FIP’s impact on the town.