SOUTH-west Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt has secured an agreement to examine the feasibility of undertaking traffic modelling in Farnham by the end of the year. The MP, who claims that he has "convinced" Surrey County Council that it should look into the effect of pedestrianisation in Farnham, spoke with councillors at a meeting last Friday. During a public meeting on pedestrianisation, called by Mr Hunt last year, the majority of attendees believed that more research should be undertaken into the matter. Mr Hunt was advised by SCC transport chiefs that traffic modelling would take around six months to complete but it was hoped research could be completed by the end of 2008. Speaking after the meeting, he labelled the redevelopment of East Street as "a unique opportunity" to address some of the traffic problems in Farnham. "However, I don't want any pedestrianisation of central Farnham to negatively affect the roads in north Farnham and other already heavily over-used routes," he said. "It is vital to undertake traffic modelling research into the best way forward for the whole of Farnham." Farnham councillor Pat Frost echoed comments made by the MP. "We all want to reduce congestion and pollution in the town centre but we don't want to just move traffic around so other roads bear the brunt of any changes," she said. "For instance, I would want to ensure that pedestrianisation of the Borough wouldn't cause problems for Castle Street. Traffic modelling could help us see whether such changes would be feasible."
