DEMANDS for immediate action to stop rat-running through Haslemere's country lanes has been made by residents from some of the areas worst-affected roads

At a public meeting on Monday night, at The Edge, called by the Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for SW Surrey Jeremy Hunt, residents from the Critchmere area had their say.

Many of the 40 or so who turned up did just that. They called for speed restrictions and traffic-calming measures to deter speeding motorists from making short-cuts, creating major traffic hazards, and causing accidents in their efforts to avoid traffic queues on the A3.

Among the options residents want investigated are a one-way system for Critchmere Hill, speed cameras, white speed-limit markings on roads, a 20 mph speed limit, and a mini roundabout near the Royal Oak public house.

There was almost total support for a network of pinch-points to slow traffic down, but little for residents-only access.

Mr Hunt assured residents that it was "not a party political issue.

"We want to get feedback from Critchmere residents. We can't promise to do anything about it, but the more we can hear from you, the more pressure we can put on Surrey County Council to get results."

The meeting attracted the attention of the local Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman, Simon Cordon, Lib Dem Waverley and town councillor Jacquie Keen, and several other councillors. Mrs Keen accused Mr Hunt of holding a party political meeting and not addressing the wider traffic issues of the whole town.

"I am pleased to see this meeting but have to say I don't believe it is not political. I was not invited and I want to see a meeting like this for Haslemere and not just Critchmere.

"We are trapped in our town because of traffic problems, let's not have any more of these small meetings," she declared.

Explaining that the Highways Agency dealt with the main A3 trunk road, while SCC had responsibility for other roads, Haslemere county councillor Christine Stevens said that the council "had more schemes than it had money for".

She said the meeting was timely with Highways Agency exhibitions being held next month to air the views of residents as part of a public consultation exercise ahead of the building of the A3 tunnel.

Mrs Stevens added: "In addition, SCC is doing a speed review of the A287 and holding an exhibition."

The Atkins company, which is also involved with the plans for the A3 tunnel, was she said, "working with SCC and coming up with some options at the exhibition with relation to traffic calming".

Haslemere town councillor Tricia Hills spoke of at least four accidents on Woolmer Hill and her efforts to get signage on the road to slow traffic down. She also called for an extension of the footpath to ensure the safety of children walking to Woolmer Hill School.

Steve Tucker, who lives in Hammer Lane, said he was "appalled at the lack of action.

"There are no slow-down signs and no speed limits. If you cross the border into East Hampshire, there are even speed limit signs on dustbins.

"We want something done now," demanded Mr Tucker, whose dog was recently killed on Hammer Lane.

And he said: "Not a week goes by when there isn't a screech of brakes."

One resident believed that buses and coaches should be banned from Critchmere Lane, while another accused motorists of exercising a "big- dipper" psychology on the hill.

Mr Hunt told The Herald that he had been pleased with the meeting.

"I thought it was a very good turnout," he said. "It demonstrated what strong feelings there are in Critchmere and it is vital that we find a solution to this problem before there is a fatality.

"There are lots and lots of issues and people were very realistic."

In a statement following the meeting, Simon Cordon said: "Haslemere's traffic dangers and parking problems must be looked at as a whole, which is why the local Liberal Democrat team have been pressing SCC for a comprehensive study in the town, leading to safety measures and residents parking schemes where suitable.

"The Conservatives are offering double-speak to local people. They present themselves as concerned about traffic problems in Critchmere but in charge of SCC they continue to neglect Haslemere," said Mr Cordon.

"The Conservatives, by failing to give Haslemere a fair share of funds, are the problem, not the solution."