Farnham has lived through nearly two years of major roadworks, closures, diversions and disruption as significant changes have been made to our town centre.

The works are not yet finished, and Castle Street remains under construction.

So this petition is not asking for a premature verdict on an unfinished project.

It is asking something much simpler:

What does success look like, how will it be measured, and when will Farnham see the results?

The Farnham Infrastructure Programme was created to address some of the town's biggest challenges;  including congestion and air quality,  while supporting a vibrant, accessible and economically successful town.

Residents and businesses have accepted considerable disruption on the basis that the long-term result will make Farnham better.

We believe it is reasonable to now ask for a clear and public commitment to demonstrate whether those promised benefits are actually delivered.

We are therefore calling on Surrey County Council, Farnham Town Council and Waverley Borough Council to publish a clear end-of-works plan and commit to a transparent post-completion review of Farnham's town-centre road changes.

The review should answer:
Has congestion actually improved?

Publish before-and-after data on traffic volumes, journey times, queues and congestion, not just within the redesigned streets, but across the wider Farnham road network.

Has traffic been reduced, or simply displaced?

Assess the impact on surrounding residential roads, approaches into Farnham and alternative routes used to avoid the town centre.

Has air quality improved?

Improving air quality was one of the reasons the Farnham Infrastructure Programme was created. Publish evidence showing whether pollution has reduced across Farnham rather than simply moving elsewhere with displaced or queuing traffic.

What happens when Farnham returns to normal?

Traffic and footfall during prolonged construction cannot necessarily represent normal use of the town.

Many people have changed routes or avoided Farnham while the works have taken place.

The new network should therefore be reviewed again once the works are complete and residents, commuters, shoppers and visitors have returned to their normal behaviour.

Can the new road layout cope with Farnham's future growth?

Farnham and the surrounding area continue to grow.

The review should demonstrate that the network has been tested against expected future housing, population and traffic growth — not simply current conditions.

What has happened to our independent businesses?

Farnham's independent shops, cafés, restaurants and businesses are fundamental to the character and economy of our town.

Businesses have reported reductions in footfall and trade throughout the roadworks, and some have publicly cited the disruption when discussing closure.

We want proper measurement of town-centre footfall, vacancy levels, business openings and closures, accessibility and trading conditions — together with direct consultation with local businesses.

Where significant impacts are identified, we want to understand what practical support and recovery measures will be considered.

Is Farnham genuinely more accessible?

The finished scheme should be assessed from the perspective of pedestrians, disabled residents, wheelchair users, people with visual impairments, elderly residents, parents with pushchairs, cyclists, bus passengers and motorists.

Success should mean a town that works better for everyone.

What happened during the construction programme?

Residents and businesses deserve a clear account of the original timetable against actual delivery, significant delays and changes to the programme, the reasons behind them and lessons learned.

Most importantly  what happens if something doesn't work?

A review only matters if there is a willingness to respond to its findings.

The councils should explain what changes, mitigation or further interventions could be considered if evidence shows unacceptable congestion, pollution, economic harm, accessibility problems or unintended consequences.

We are asking for some clear commitments:
1. Publish the measures of success before the works finish.

Tell Farnham now how the scheme will be judged and what baseline evidence will be used.

2. Publish a full post-completion review once normal use has returned.

This should include traffic, air quality, business and footfall, accessibility, town character and the wider road network, with a meaningful assessment approximately 12 months after completion.

3. Publish an action plan in response to the findings.

If elements of the scheme are demonstrably not delivering what was promised, explain what can be changed and who will be accountable for taking that action.

This isn't about resisting investment or opposing improvement.

It is about making sure a once-in-a-generation change to Farnham works for the people who live here, the communities around it and the independent businesses that make the town what it is.

If the changes work, that should be demonstrated and celebrated.

If parts don't work, they should be acknowledged and addressed.

Farnham has lived through the disruption.

Now let's make sure the result delivers what was promised.