There’s no getting round it, as one of the biggest and potentially most disruptive stages of a two-year plan to improve Farnham town centre will begin on Monday.

Downing Street is getting a temporary “pedestrianisation” with the road north of Lower Church Lane closing to through traffic until November from early next week.

And in another change to the gyratory, the section between Lower Church Lane to the Longbridge junction will become two-way, with traffic leaving Waggon Yard able to turn right towards Gostrey Meadow.

Surrey County Council is closing the section of Downing Street for safety reasons with vehicular access for residents, deliveries and emergencies being maintained.

Shoppers, traders and motorists can expect new paving, crossing points, loading bays, greening, seating and cycle stands when the work is completed.

“This semi-pedestrianisation is a temporary change and the road will reopen to traffic from November 1 for the pre-Christmas period,” said a spokesperson for SCC.

“Works will resume in January, but it is expected that Downing Street will not need to close again.

“Shops will remain open as usual and access to them will be maintained during their normal opening hours. Specific information about deliveries has been supplied to traders.”

The council says people who park off Lower Middle or Upper Church Lanes and Vicarage Lane have received information with concerns being raised at the recent Farnham BID meeting about deliveries and rat-runners using the narrow routes.

The council has also suggested motorists should check travel apps such as Google Maps or Waze before setting off, with the closure likely to worsen congestion in parts of the town.

Motorists heading north from Firgrove Hill will now diverted via Approach Road and Station Hill to Hickley’s Corner, before turning west and backing up via the A31 and West Street.

Alternatively, there’s the option of turning right at the crossroads and making a long loop via the Shepherd and Flock Roundabout, A325, Upper Hale Road, Drovers Way and Folly Hill.

Bus services which use Downing Street are being diverted, with The Borough bus stop (Stop A) being relocated to the other side of the Castle Street junction, outside the former Jack and Alice restaurant.

Work to finalise the new two-way arrangement on Downing Street from Waggon Yard to the Longbridge junction will take overnight on Sunday.

For more details on the town centre roadworks visit www.surreycc.gov.uk/farnhamworks or call 0300 200 1003.

The works are part of the Farnham Infrastructure Programme, a partnership between Surrey County Council, Waverley Borough Council and Farnham Town Council.