PLANS for a multi-million pound overhaul of Farnham town centre’s road network could be unveiled by the end of the year, according to town MP Jeremy Hunt.

Surrey County Council confirmed it was exploring a comprehensive “de-congestion” scheme for Farnham in September last year, six months after the MP for South West Surrey secured a majority ‘yes’ vote narrowly in favour of part-pedestrianising the town centre.

Just over a year later, it seems these eagerly anticipated plans including a full traffic model for the entire scheme are finally approaching the light of day.

In his latest newsletter, Mr Hunt said: “Progress is being made behind the scenes on a possible pedestrianisation and congestion easing scheme for the town.

“It takes a great deal of effort and time to pull together such a model, so thank you for your continued patience and understanding.

“I am due to meet [county councillor for Farnham Central] Pat Frost early next month when the proposal should be ready – so all being well, an update announcement will be made before the end of the year.

“As I’ve said before, the challenge is to find a solution that is practical, beneficial and financially viable. We will ensure the residents of Farnham are fully consulted before anything is agreed.”

Mr Hunt’s plans encountered a set back this May when the county council all but ruled out his suggestion to build a mini-roundabout at the junction of Union Road, Long Bridge and Downing Street.

However, speaking in the wake of the setback, the MP confirmed a part-pedestrianisation of Farnham was “still very much on the radar”.

Surrey County Council also hinted at an “alternative scheme” to solve Farnham’s traffic woes just last week, after it emerged that 2012 plans to ban heavy goods vehicles from the town centre were vetoed by Surrey Police.

These plans - including a 18 tonne weight limit in Castle Street and Folly Hill - were initiated by the Farnham Air Quality Campaign with a question to the Waverley Local Committee at it’s meeting on March 16, 2012.

Councillors agreed to put the proposals out to public consultation but Surrey Police refused to support them as “the vast majority of HGVs entering the town…are not committing any offence” and the consultation was never undertaken.

Celia Sandars, who asked the question in March 2012 on behalf of the Farnham Air Quality Campaign, told The Herald this week: “The question explained that, with support from Jeremy Hunt for the campaign and on his advice, I approached Mike Penning, the then-Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Justice.

“It was as a result of Mr Penning’s encouragement that the issue of HGVs travelling through the town and that the question to the Local Committee had the necessary force to persuade committee members to take the matter further.”

It is unknown whether Surrey Police has been consulted on the county council’s latest plans for the town centre.