URGENT calls for the two exit lanes at Haslemere Station to be retained, have been heeded by South West Trains (SWT) in the major upgrade of the forecourt now under way.

SWT representatives presenting the plans for the redesign of the forecourt at a packed public meeting in The Georgian Hotel in June, came under heavy fire when it was revealed kerbs would be built out to reduce the traffic flow going through and vehicles could no longer exit at the same time right and left onto Lower Street.

Residents warned reducing the flow at peak user times when there is heavy traffic congestion, would create “town gridlock”, with long tailbacks on Haslemere’s main arterial road caused by drivers unable to get into the station.

SWT promised to take their objections on board and the company confirmed as work got under way in earnest this week, the design included two exit lanes for vehicles as requested.

An SWT spokesman said: “In designing the new forecourt at Haslemere station we have consulted and worked with a wide range of stakeholders, including local authorities and passengers to provide a modern, effective and accessible station forecourt.

“The new design will include two exit lanes for vehicles as requested as well as a new pedestrian crossing outside the entrance to the station. Blue badge parking bays have also been moved closer to the station entrance.

“In addition, we have recently completed the installation of a new cycle hub, providing 190 spaces for bicycles. We will also start work on an extended car park in August, which will provide over 100 extra car parking spaces by the end of the year.”

The forecourt redesign will retain the nine existing 20-minute parking bays and add five drop-off bays.

The space directly in front of the station will be reserved for buses and also for the community buses.

The area for motorcycle parking will be retained, with spaces provided opposite the station entrance, and more spaces will be available when the new decked car park is completed, which will double the provision.

The redesign of the forecourt is due to be completed in August. The main car park will be completely closed when construction of the upper deck starts and the scheme is due to completed by Christmas.

SWT has warned major disruption to rail users is likely during construction.

Keen to work with the community, it joined forces in March with Surrey County Council, South Downs National Park Authority, Haslemere Town Council, National Trust, Haslemere Society, Haslemere Vision, the town’s Visitor Information Centre and the Fringe Festival, to form The Haslemere Community Station Partnership.

This week, welcoming confirmation cars would still exit to right and left in the revised forecourt scheme, a Haslemere Town Council spokesman said: “The mayor, on behalf of the council, has worked with Surrey County Council since the meeting at The Georgian to ensure residents’ views and needs are met by the design of the station forecourt improvement works. The mayor acknowledges the needs of everyone cannot be met but is delighted to see that the final revised layout reflects much of the feedback he has given.”

• SWT is working with Surrey County to publicise alternative ways to get to the station while the main car park is closed.

The option of providing a new Hoppa bus service to outlying villages that would serve commuters during the morning and evening peaks is also being explored, but will only be implemented if there is sufficient support.

Anyone interested in the “feeder bus service to station” option is urged to take part in a short online survey just launched at www.sur

veymonkey.co.uk – searchfor ‘Haslemere station access’ to see if there is enough public demand to fund a trial.

For other ways to get to the station go to www.travel smartsurrey.info.