A concerned parent has told councillors a 20mph speed limit “doesn’t work” amid growing concerns about speeding and safety in parts of Farnham town centre.

Anna Hollis made impassioned calls for a Belisha beacon crossing to be installed on West Street during an emotional speech to town councillors on Thursday (October 24).

She believes a crossing around The Plough area will benefit pupils heading to Potters Gate School and the area’s elderly contingent.

She spoke of an “abdication of responsibility” by authorities to ensure pedestrian safety on the western approach to the town centre, adding her own children had experienced a near-miss while trying to cross the road.

She said: “I’m sorry, but 20mph doesn’t work at that end of Farnham and most people don’t adhere to the limit, as once they get past the Wheatsheaf they speed up.

“If you want to cross the road, you have to run or have to wait for ages. I regularly have to step out feeling genuinely fearful.

“We need a Belisha beacon crossing on West Street because with nothing happening, something terrible is going to happen.”

Chris Butler also raised similar concerns about speeding drivers on Castle Street and Castle Hill before calling for speed cameras and more enforcement.

Cllr Graham White expressed sympathy for Anna but called the situation “complicated” given the proposals of the Farnham Infrastructure Plan with work set to begin in mid January.

He also added the Coxbridge development would lead to a safe footpath into town and another new crossing near The Hart but residents feel this is too close to the existing crossing.

Cllr George Hesse also pointed out that speed cameras don’t have to harm the landscape as motorists have received PCNs for using bus lanes after being caught “tiny and unobtrusive” devices in Reading.