Speed Calming
October 2024
(Latest)
We’ve received feedback regarding speeding and noise on the street. To effectively address this issue, it’s important that the council understands the level of concern within our community. We encourage all members who feel strongly about this matter to make their voices heard.
We are already in discussions with the council, exploring solutions such as raised crossings and other measures to improve safety and control speeding. If you’d like to contribute, please contact the parties listed below.
As you may be aware, we previously conducted surveys on this issue. While there was a majority support for enforcement, opinions varied on the best method. These survey results have been shared with council members and continue to serve as a key resource during our discussions.
If you need guidance on how to communicate your concerns, please review our Guidelines Page, which can also be helpful when messaging local representatives.
Thank you for helping ensure all perspectives are fairly represented.
Contact Details
Councillor George Hesse
(Contact George Hesse for Police Borough Commander Rob Brian's details)
Gregory Stafford MP
(You will need to include your name, and address in any communications to our MP to validate you are within the Borough)
Surrey Police Guidance
Town Centre Team
The quarterly FIP (Farnham Infrastructure Program) Board meeting is to be held in the Council Chamber at Farnham Town Hall, South Street on Friday 18/10/24 at 10am and is Chaired by Cllr Tim Oliver, Leader of SCC.
It will discuss the programme of town centre improvements expected to start in the New Year.
There is public seating and residents are welcome to attend and listen to the proceedings. (Please note, we are not able to speak as it is a ‘meeting in public’ not a ‘public meeting’).
January 2024
FIP Team and Council have confirmed in our regular sync that the temporary fixtures at the top of the street are now in place with signage to signal new speed changes. This is a temporary addition that will be used to determine if the speed calming measures and changes are useful or if further changes are required.
The results of the surveying done with our members were previously shared in 2023 and have been mentioned to the FIP for consideration.
September 2023
At the Farnham Infrastructure Programme board meeting on September 15th, the board confirmed that the 20mph limit in the town centre would be starting their works on October 5th, and is scheduled to be completed by the 23rd October 2023.
June - September 2023
As many of our members will know, the Councils tell us , they are actively working toward safer and calmer streets. Part of this Speed Calming plan involves introducing better signage across the town.
We surveyed our members in the middle of the year to ensure we had a good sample set of the thoughts of the street, following which, we collated the results and shared these via our mailing list and with George Hesse and our key ward Councillors.
To our knowledge, these ideas and thoughts have not been taken forward and or actively been considered in the current FIP consultations. While there is not direct commitment on all the points, we have seen these ideas reflected in some recent FIP amendments - though we have not recieved any feedback or communication on the survey.
We expect these to be shared by the FIP team in due course and thank all of you who participated in our survey.
Elaine Martin May 2023 Update
Farnham Infrastructure Programme (FIP) Manager-Environment, Transport & Infrastructure Directorate at SCC
The proposed extent of 20 mph speed limit on Castle Hill for Phase 1 of the town centre scheme has been identified to provide consistency of speed limit and align the proposals with best practice to contribute to an effective positive change of character and improved accessibility throughout the area.
A study was undertaken in December 2020 to understand issues caused by speeding vehicles in Farnham and surrounding areas and identify how they might be addressed. Details of the Speed Study undertaken can be found in the Speed Study report, which was submitted to the Farnham Board in January 2021.
See Item 5 - 20 mph Review - Annex A - Speed Study
The proposed 20mph speed limit in Farnham town centre which will come into effect this summer, once implemented it will be monitored and SCC will look to the opportunity of a Phase 2 plan, plus the possibility of a ‘20mph town’. The 20mph speed limits and town centre improvements would make a significant difference to traffic speed throughout Farnham and provide a more controlled traffic environment within the town centre.
More information on managing speeds on Surrey’s roads can be found here: Managing speeds on Surrey’s roads - Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk)
With regards to speeding vehicles, Community Speed Watch is a scheme managed by Surrey Police to allow volunteers to monitor the speed of passing vehicles using a hand-held speed detection device. The volunteers record the details of speeding vehicles, and then the police will issue a letter to the vehicle owner, advising them of the dangers of speeding, and reminding them of the law.
Further action will be undertaken by the police for repeat offenders. Training and equipment are provided by the police who will also undertake an assessment of suitable locations for the volunteers to operate from.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Surrey Police.
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