PERMANENT traffic calming measures for Kings Road, Haslemere, look set to move a step closer this week.

Following local consultation with residents and an exhibition at The Herons Leisure Centre, attended by some 65 people, members of Surrey County Council's local committee in Waverley are set to recommend that the proposed scheme for traffic calming goes ahead.

The meeting of the committee today (Friday) will hear a report by highways officers on the consultation exercise.

It follows the installation of experimental traffic-calming chicanes more than 18 months ago to slow down the traffic, and renewed fears from residents of the dangers of the road to pedestrians caused by parked cars.

With some residents in favour of closing the road, which has been the subject of continual parking and congestion problems, to through- traffic, the report will say that the disadvantages of such a move would outweigh any advantages.

While closing the road would bring positive benefits to residents, including a reduction in goods vehicles, noise and pollution, and make the area safer, keeping Kings Road open is considered to be a better option.

Although if the road was closed it could encourage more commuter parking, the report will say that businesses are likely to become remote from the town centre and a low bridge in Sturt Road could cause problems for an alternative route.

The removal of a school bus route, delayed response times for ambulances and loss of direct vehicular access to the town centre and railway station, as well as a knock-on effect for traffic flows elsewhere in the area, were all reasons against closure.

A total of £45,000 has already been allocated for the proposed work in both this year's and next year's SCC highways budgets.

The meeting takes place at Rowledge Village Hall, near Farnham, on Friday, September 10, at 1-30 pm.