Campaigners fighting for safer pedestrian crossings at Hickley’s Corner say the battle is far from over despite the government scrapping a major improvement scheme for the A31 in Farnham.

Tara Smyth, who has been campaigning for safety improvements at the busy junction, said the cancellation of the wider road scheme must not become another obstacle to protecting pedestrians.

“It has been really frustrating, and what concerns me is how long it is taking,” she said.

Last week, the Government scrapped plans to improve the A31 between Coxbridge and the Shepherd and Flock roundabout, prompting Farnham and Bordon MP Greg Stafford to condemn the decision as a “betrayal”.

Ms Smyth stressed that efforts to make Hickley’s Corner safer were separate from the wider project and needed to continue.

“Farnham Town Council and Greg Stafford have always supported us; it is just about being able to get things done at a higher level,” she said.

Surrey County Council (SCC) is working on a public consultation about speed at the junction, but Ms Smyth believes more attention must be paid to pedestrian crossing arrangements.

Campaigners previously installed banners warning people about the dangers of crossing the busy road, only to be told to remove them.

They are now exploring other ways to raise awareness.

Ms Smyth said the banners had been a quick response to an urgent problem, rather than waiting months for meetings and official decisions.

Farnham Town Council has also expressed “profound disappointment” at the government's decision to abandon the wider A31 improvements.

Council leader Cllr George Murray said traffic volumes had increased significantly over the past 20 years, with the road approaching capacity and congestion spilling into Farnham town centre whenever maintenance or roadworks take place.

However, he stressed that the council's overriding concern was pedestrian safety at Hickley’s Corner, where three recent tragic incidents have heightened fears about the junction.

The town council had backed the community initiative to install temporary warning signs and is calling for action regardless of what happens to the wider A31.

Cllr Murray urged SCC to press ahead with its safety audit and introduce measures that would allow pedestrians to cross the junction safely and with greater confidence.

For Ms Smyth and fellow campaigners, the message is clear: the cancellation of the A31 scheme must not mean further delays to improving safety at Hickley’s Corner.