A Labour by-election candidate has criticised the upcoming Farnham town centre roadworks which are expected to begin in September, lasting two years.

The town centre works and road plans are just some of the reasons why John Gaskell is standing again for election in Castle Ward because of what he describes as lack of leadership from the Conservatives and Farnham Residents Party.

Mr Gaskell said: “The Tory and Residents Parties have worked together to foist a controversial roads plan on Farnham that will neither reduce traffic and rat-running, nor cut pollution or noise.

“It will have a disastrous effect on town centre trade and on our quality of life.

“While wider pavements are welcome, there’s little else to commend it.

“Since the Residents Party and Tories have completely failed to either enforce the HGV ban or 20mph restrictions in the town centre, it is difficult to have any confidence that this scheme won’t simply inconvenience local people for years to come at massive public expense.”

The Farnham Infrastructure Programme has opted against pedestrianising East Street between the Woolmead and Brightwells development sites
The Farnham Infrastructure Programme has opted against pedestrianising East Street between the Woolmead and Brightwells development sites (Daniel Gee)

John also decries the lack of vision shown by current councillors, citing their failure to integrate Brightwells and the Woolmead into the fabric of the town as a ‘lack of imagination’. 

He added: “Like it or loathe it, Brightwells presented an opportunity to rejuvenate the town and to generate jobs and prosperity.

“Instead of squabbling with the developers, it’s time to think creatively about how to use the empty shops to draw more people to Farnham and to provide creative spaces for our incredibly talented community.”

“Similarly, the current administration has failed to get a grip on planning to either deliver genuinely affordable homes for local young people or to resist unsympathetic overdevelopment.

“It’s time for change.”

 Mr Gaskell will contest the same Waverley Borough Council seat he stood for last May. Polling day is April 18.