Latest news with #improvementworks
BBC News
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Farnham road closes as improvement works continue
The next stage of major improvement works in a Surrey town centre has begun. Downing Street in Farnham is now temporarily part-pedestrianised and closed to through-traffic north of Lower Church Lane. Workers will be installing new crossing points, loading bays, greening, seating and cycle stands, Surrey County Council said. But one local resident described the traffic disruption in the town as "appalling". Farnham's town centre improvements began in February and include pavement widening, new green public spaces and more pedestrian-controlled crossings with two-way traffic introduced in parts of Downing Street and The this year, a council spokesperson said the aim was to "create a modern town centre which celebrates its history, reduces congestion and improves air quality".The full regeneration project is expected to be completed within two years. The partially-closed road is expected to reopen to motorists in November. Safety concerns Chris and Kate Shepheard live in Farnham and told BBC Surrey that while they can see the improvements, there was "an awful lot of upheaval"."We're very worried about this next stage here because it'll be closed for so long," said Mr Shepheard added: "It's looking very positive and if you do bring the car in, it does work."The only issue is the pedestrians at the crossings - it's rather a long time [to wait] and people are getting impatient and crossing in traffic which is quite dangerous and I'm worried someone will get knocked over."Another local resident said: "Most people I know no longer drive in because the traffic is so appalling and you don't necessarily understand the logistics of which traffic is supposed to be going where. "Everyone I know has either abandoned going into Farnham or they're walking and I certainly don't think the signage is very clear."The council has been contacted for comment.
BBC News
03-08-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Longtown road closed for two weeks for 'essential' works
A road will be closed for two weeks to carry out improvement C1003 Longtown, between the A7 and Longtown Primary School in Cumbria, will be shut from 4 to 15 August, excluding Council said the carriageway works were "essential" and it apologised for any inconvenience road will be closed to through traffic at all times, with access restricted to residents. Pedestrian and emergency services access will be maintained at all times and waste collections will not be affected, the council said. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
18-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Businesses in Farnham call for cheaper parking as works continue
Businesses in Farnham are calling for Waverley Borough Council (WBC) to reduce parking fees during the next phase of improvement works in the part of the changes by Surrey County Council (SCC), which include wider pavements and the introduction of two-way traffic, one of the main roads, Downing Street, is due to close to through traffic and become semi-pedestrianised from 18 August until 1 Conservative MP for Farnham and Bordon, Greg Stafford, has also called for support with business said it recognised the impact the works were having on some businesses and residents. Parking charges increased in parts of the borough of Waverley in Dawkins, the owner of Farnham Family Butchers, told BBC Radio Surrey the increases had happened at the "wrong time" and were potentially "another deterrent" to stop people from coming into the said "an hour of free car parking", or a discount if shoppers stayed a certain amount of time, would help businesses. Steve Hamilton, from Hamilton's Tea House, said all the businesses were "feeling the effects" of lower footfall and reduced said it would be "really nice if Waverley could join hands with us" and take a financial hit "rather than it just being the public".Ginny Young, from Wylde Thyme, said there had been "a lot of disruption" and that it would be good to have "some leeway with parking just to give people confidence" as Farnham had "so much to offer". Mr Stafford has also urged WBC to "use its powers to give some kind of relief from business rates" to help businesses during the works."I don't want to give the impression at all that Farnham isn't thriving," he said. "It absolutely is. "It's a fantastic place to shop, to live, to work, but businesses are asking just to get a little bit of support during the disruption so that [they] can carry on because…if they were to go under because of this, that would be an absolute disaster."WBC councillor Tony Fairclough said the council recognised that "business is the lifeblood of Farnham"."We've been working with the business community in all four major settlements to develop a car park offer that will actually be effective in stimulating business revenue rather than merely bringing short stay traffic into our towns, and I'm delighted to say that they are extremely enthusiastic about the concept," he councillor Liz Townsend added that the council only retained 6% of business rates."The rates are set by the Government's Valuation Office Agency, not the council, but we do help local businesses by actively supporting them to apply for available reliefs, including small business rate relief, retail discounts and hardship support," she has been approached for comment about the impact of the works programme.
BBC News
02-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Improvement works at Guernsey school ahead of merger
Improvement works will be carried out at a Guernsey school campus ahead of a merger in September, Les Varendes High School, in St Peter Port, will be merged with La Mare de Carteret High School, which is currently based in of the merger, building work is taking place to create additional teaching and locker space, and to improve plumbing, electrics and Tomlin, Les Varendes High School principal, said she was "looking forward to welcoming" all the merged schools' pupils in September. "The upcoming programme of works will be better matched to our requirements and increased numbers so we can continue to strive for excellence," she work taking place includes new fencing and capping the school's swimming pool to create a "multi-functional space". What work is taking place? The work includes:New fencingReplacement windows and doorsConverting some existing science classrooms into general classroomsAdditional lockersNew doors to separate the hall and stage, providing additional teaching spacesCapping the swimming pool to create a new multi-functional space for teaching, meetings, dining and a social spaceChanging rooms updatesDevelopment of an Inclusion Space and a base for the Communication, Interaction and Autism Service (CIAS)Moving staff room to accommodate new inclusion and additional needs spacesUpdates to cabling and Wi-Fi infrastructureReplacement of mechanical, electrical, plumbing and heating (MEPH) systemsParts of the old Sixth Form Centre will be used to accommodate the Youth Commission, the Sexual Health and Relationships Education (SHARE) team and the Guernsey Music Service.
