FARNHAM town centre was brought to a standstill by traffic congestion this week after an emergency closure of Downing Street for sewer repairs caused mayhem and effectively split the town in two.

A diversion via the A31 and Coxbridge roundabout was put in place on Tuesday morning, but poor signage meant few drivers took heed of the warnings and unknowingly entered a trap in Union Road, Victoria Road and South Street.

Long traffic jams have also blighted the approach roads to the town, namely Firgrove Hill, Station Hill and Tilford Road, as motorists struggled to find a path from south Farnham to north.

Town centre residents complained of fuel smells in their homes as cars and lorries sat stationary outside, adding to the town's well publicised air pollution problems.

And shop owners complained of a loss of trade and the chaos experienced by their delivery drivers, as well as arguing with Thames Water contractors over the slow progress of roadworks.

For full story, see this week's Farnham Herald.