SOUTH West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt has claimed a major breakthrough in his long-held ambition to overhaul Farnham’s congested road network.

The MP met with Surrey County Council leader David Hodge and lead member for highways Colin Kemp, as well as Farnham Residents councillors Stephen Spence and Andy MacLeod, in Westminster earlier this month to discuss his plans.

And following the meeting, Mr Hunt confirmed Surrey’s leader has vowed to part-fund a dedicated project manager to advance the new roads scheme for central Farnham – on the condition Waverley Borough Council matches its funding for the new post.

Mr Hunt hailed this as a significant step forward for his plans to transform the town centre, adding his next step is to secure Waverley’s backing.

Mr Hunt told the Herald: “Progress on the transformation of Farnham town centre has been painfully slow, but it does feel like we are in a situation now where things could start to take off.

“The thing that has always held back pedestrianisation in the past has been that Farnham has not been united, but I think that is changing.

“This scheme will only be successful if it’s led by the people of Farnham, and it is clear now there is a strong consensus in the centre of Farnham that we need to make these changes.”

Mr Hunt added town council leader Carole Cockburn, through her work on the Farnham Neighbourhood Plan, has “shown us the model of how to get a consensus in the town” – adding such schemes “never go anywhere” without the backing of local councils.

“The key thing now is to make sure we have the support of the town, borough and county councils,” he said.

“Surrey has agreed to part-fund a project manager to take forward the technical side of this work. But they want Waverley to fund the other half of this role, so the next stage is to talk to Waverley.”

The MP continued: “The next step is to work out a scheme that is viable in terms of traffic and therefore has the support of the local councils, then to cost it, and then to start the difficult process of raising the money for it. Those are the three stages we need to go through, but we are poised for take off now and there is a lot of enthusiasm.”

Mr Hunt also hailed Waverley chief executive Tom Horwood’s town planning background, and cross-party support from Farnham Residents councillors Andy MacLeod and Stephen Spence as positive signs.

Mr Hunt’s latest proposals, as presented to the Farnham Society earlier this year, suggest breaking down the transformation into three phases; focusing on the town centre, Hickleys Corner and the Wrecclesham relief road.

“It’s a 25-year plan for Farnham and I think it would be completely transformational,” he added.

“Farnham is potentially the most beautiful town in the south east of England, but we have not bitten the bullet on the traffic problem, and have allowed towns like Guildford, Godalming, Petersfield and Chichester to get ahead of us. That is what we’ve got to change.”

Mr Hunt estimated the first phase of the work in the town centre would likely cost £5m to £10m, and confirmed he intends to meet with Brightwells developer Crest Nicholson and Woolmead counterpart Berkeley Homes in hope of securing their backing, adding his transformation plans would help make both developments “a lot more viable”.