FARNHAM'S most talked-about potholed road is scheduled to be resurfaced around the end of February, after exacting a heavy toll on the tyres, wheels and suspension of countless vehicles.

Hale Road, and in particular the stretch around Farnham Hospital, has even become a no-go area for some motorists, as the pits which opened up during the freeze of the last couple of winters were left to widen and join up.

Angela Arathoon, who works at Bells Piece, said she is frightened to drive that road any more after having to be rescued by the RAC. Her Mini had pitched into a pothole with such force that it activated the fuel cut-off switch.

"I have got so many friends who have had to have new tyres. Cousins who came to stay said it was like a Third World country," she told The Herald.

Another person who complained to Surrey County Council was told by a Surrey County Council highways officer: "I appreciate there are areas delaminating, which can make for an unpleasant ride, but this is within our tolerances."

This week, however, came the news that Surrey County Council has inspected the road again, accepted the state it is in and moved it forward in its Operation Horizon five-year resurfacing programme.

Originally scheduled for the second year of the programme, resurfacing should now take place next month. Weybourne Road and Weybourne Lane are also set to be tackled, but the Six Bells roundabout must wait for a later slot in the resurfacing timetable.