FARNHAM residents have responded critically to the recent "Getting about Farnham" exhibition at The Maltings, which unveiled plans for resolving the town's current transportation problems.
Concern was raised in particular over the scheme for Downing Street, which would convert it to single-lane traffic, which residents condemned as having been decisively rejected several years ago.
Other aspects, including alterations to The Borough, Woolmead and East Street were criticised by many.
John Carter said the plans had shown little development since studies made in 1992.
"They (the council) need to bite the bullet and take instant action to de-classify the A287 Folly Hill/Castle Street route into the town. Hopefully, this will remove 40- tonne commercial vehicles from the town's environs," he said.
He added that legislation to curb deliveries at peak times in the morning and afternoon would potentially resolve traffic congestion in the town.
Mr Carter also believed that to remove "traffic chaos" on Station Hill, the removal of parking bays outside the shops would ease the situation.
He believed that the pedestrianisation of Downing Street was a viable option, with businesses in the street being served by "service courts" by creating a service road through central car park.
Mr Smith, of Sandrock Hill Road, was also disappointed by the proposals: "The exhibition only showed a remedy for the centre of Farnham, which will just move the problem elsewhere.
"Surely we need a strategy and solution that addresses the real issue, which is building a proper bypass or ring road round Farnham, that takes the through-traffic without it having to go through the town and outlying villages," he commented.
He added that co-ordinated thinking was required "before £3 million was wasted" and suggested that a specific action group may be advisable to address residents' concerns.
Alan Paterson, principal engineer of Surrey County Council, attempted to allay fears that the plans were not appropriate for the town.
On Downing Street, he said: "Our major concern for Downing Street was the number of pedestrians being injured and who required hospital treatment. We as a county council consider this to be totally unacceptable."
He said that the principal aim of the exhibition was to "strike the right balance" between the needs of pedestrians and those of vehicles using the town, which he hoped had been addressed.
As far as declassifying the A287 was concerned, he said that though the road received a good deal of local traffic, measures had been taken in 1995 to remove signing at junction 5 of the M3, which formerly directed motorway traffic towards the town.
He stressed that the council wished to hear from anyone who had interest in these issues, so that their views could be considered. More views: P3