FARNHAM'S historic charm, partially lost to traffic, could be restored by introducing 20 miles per hour speed limits, speed bumps and a gateway to the town centre, according to transport experts.

The highly regarded Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) has told town councillors that Farnham has the appropriate characteristics to become a so-called historic core zone.

Explaining what an historic core zone is, Stuart Reid of TRL told a council meeting last week: "It's about the use of synthetic materials and gateways to create a different environment. It's about enhancing a town centre environment that could have been lost to traffic."

Presenting a report by the TRL, Mr Reid said a 20 mph speed limit and "speed tables" could be appropriate for an historic core zone.

The report identifies, though not by name, three potential park-and-ride sites - two near the Six Bells roundabout and one in Monkton Lane. Further investigation into the sites is needed, says the report, but it identifies one north-east of the Six Bells roundabout as the most suitable.

The report found the town centre to be car-oriented, with confusing signs and road layouts. It says the A31 Farnham bypass is the busiest road and that the town centre is often not bypassed at all, with evidence of through traffic.

A traffic count found that cars, taxis and light vans make up most of the traffic on Farnham's roads.

Police accident records show a "significant" number of accidents at Station Hill's junction with the Farnham bypass and its approaches, as well as the Guildford Road/Hale Road junction and its approach via East Street.

Researchers talked to civic groups in the town, who told them their biggest concerns were about speeding, trucks and narrow pavements. They felt cars dominate the town.

The researchers said the planned redevelopment of East Street would lead to increased traffic.

At a meeting of its environmental services committee, the council agreed that TRL should undertake the second of three planned stages of research into making Farnham a so-called sustainable travel town.

The idea is for a "holistic", rather than piecemeal, approach to roads.