DRIVERS should prepare ahead this October as work, due to last up to 30 weeks, gets set to commence on Upper Hale Road in Farnham.

As part of an ongoing programme to improve South East Water’s water supply network, the group is planning to install an 842-metre pipeline along Upper Hale Road.

This £390,000 scheme is necessary to improve the capacity of the network and ensure South East Water can continue to maintain water pressure to the area as the community grows.

Construction work will be carried out along Upper Hale Road from the junction with Old Park Lane to just past Trinity Hill.

Responding to the works, county councillor for Farnham North, Stephen Spence, said: “Thirty weeks is far too long. Of course they have to replace ageing infrastructure but the letter states that they will be working during normal working hours.

“They need to do this faster and carry out the work over the weekends, this will be quicker. It’s too long.

“Upper Hale Road has been having major issues with the number of HGVs passing through. There has been extensive conversations by residents to get HGVs banned.

“I have been talking with Surrey Highways and Surrey Police to get this done, but they are not keen on doing that.

“In a traffic survey residents believed that HGVs were coming off of the M3 early and taking a shortcut through Upper Hale Road.

“If it takes 30 weeks and they cut off half of the road, I cannot see how can you allow HGVs to pass through the roads for the duration of the works.

“I will talk to Surrey Highways, while work is ongoing. Trucks over 7.5 tonnes need to be taken off the road. It would make a big difference.”

As a safety precaution for pedestrians and motorists, temporary traffic lights will be in operation on Upper Hale Road and Odiham Road (A287) for part of the work.

This will not impact upon any bus stops or local bus routes, however bus passengers and motorists should allow extra time for their journeys. Access to homes and businesses will be maintained at all times.

The work is expected to commence in autumn and South East Water are working closely with stakeholders including the local highways team, councils and Natural England to carefully plan this work.

Upper Hale residents have taken to Facebook in disgust, with one commenting: “Well that’s us stuck in our road off the Upper Hale Road then isn’t it? We can never get out onto the Upper Hale Road.”

While another speculated: “From what I’ve read via Google, they’re going to be closing Upper Hale Road to anyone who’s not a resident or business.”

The project team will be holding a drop-in session for local businesses and residents to find out more about the scheme and answer any concerns they may have.

“I would encourage residents to go to the meeting, so that South East Water can hear their views, both on the time limit and the HGV ban,” concluded Councillor Spence.

“How can they insure us that this work is going to cause minimal disruption? Go along and let them know, and how can they directly improve how the works are done.”

The meeting will take place between 4.30pm and 7pm at Hale Institute Village Hall, Wings Road, Upper Hale on Tuesday, September 19.