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Work has started in Downing Street, initially on the eastern side only.

On 18 August, and following completion of the works at the Longbridge junction, additional teams will move to Downing Street and West Street. They will be installing new crossing points, loading bays, greening, seating and cycle stands.

There will be some short-term disruption overnight from Sunday 17 August while changes are implemented, please follow directions from the site team if travelling in the area.

Downing Street north of Lower Church lane

Downing Street will close to through-traffic north of Lower Church Lane on Monday 18 August. This is for safety reasons during the works. Vehicular access will be maintained for residents, deliveries and emergencies. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times. Shops will remain open as usual and access to them will be maintained during their normal opening hours.

This semi-pedestrianisation is a temporary change and the road will reopen to traffic on 1 November for the pre-Christmas period. Works will resume in January, but it is expected that Downing Street will not need to close again.

If you usually drive along Downing Street, please check travel apps such as Google Maps or Waze before setting off to find the best route to your destination.

The official northbound diversion will take drivers at the bottom of Downing Street along Longbridge and Firgrove Hill to Approach Road, and then Station Approach to Hickley’s Corner. Then take the A31 Farnham bypass eastbound to the Shepherd and Flock roundabout and take the A325 north continuing onto Upper Hale Road. Then take a left onto Folly Hill and following the road from Castle Hill to Castle Street. This route is reversed for drivers travelling southbound.

Bus services which use Downing Street are being diverted - for full details please visit the changes to bus services page. But please note The Borough bus stop (Stop A) will temporarily move to the other side of the Castle Street junction – outside the former Jack and Alice restaurant.

What do I need to do?

If you are the owner or manager of a business located on Downing Street or Church Lanes, we will work with you to accommodate your deliveries.

If you park on or off Lower, Middle or Upper Church Lanes, or Vicarage Lane:

• you will be able to access your property by vehicle as normal at all times
• to exit during working hours (7.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 12.30pm on Saturdays), the site team will walk you through the work area
• to exit out of these hours, you will be able to drive southbound along Downing Street at walking speed.

If you park on Downing Street:

• to access or exit during working hours (7.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 12.30pm on Saturdays), the site team will walk you through the work area
• to access and exit out of these hours, you will be able to drive along Downing Street at walking speed.

Downing Street between Lower Church Lane and Longbridge junction

Also on 18 August, the lower section of Downing Street (between Longbridge junction and Lower Church Lane) will permanently open to two-way traffic.

That means if you usually park in Waggon Yard car park you’ll be able to exit the car park by driving east along the bottom of Downing Street, through the Longbridge junction and travel to south Farnham without driving around the town centre.

To view the changes to the roads during the Downing Street closure, see : Downing Street closure - route changes (PDF).

Pavement and resurfacing work will take place in November and December in South Street and Union Road, which will include minor daytime works and overnight resurfacing and repairs. This has been scheduled so work can continue but with minimal impact on the town centre in the lead up to Christmas. More information will be circulated nearer the time to affected residents and businesses.

• Victoria Road, expected spring 2026
• Castle Street from Park Row to The Borough, expected spring 2026
• The Borough from Castle Street to Royal Deer junction, expected summer 2026
• Royal Deer Junction, expected autumn 2026

• The Borough (Castle Street to West Street) - completed in February 2025. These works allowed a right turn at the bottom of Castle Street and two-way traffic on The Borough between Castle Street and West Street, which is important to keep the town moving during the works. This is a temporary layout, which be made permanent later in the project. The works included the removal of the traffic islands at the top of Downing Street. Temporary traffic lights will remain in place until permanent lights are installed.
• Improvements to the bottom of Downing Street, which will allow two way traffic after the completion of phase four. It will mean cars will be able to access and exit Waggon Yard car park without needing to travel around the gyratory.