Delivering change in Horley town centre

Building on the public realm improvements in the precinct, this project will focus on the stretch of the High Street between the precinct and the pedestrian bridge over the railway. It aims to deliver a coordinated set of enhancements that will improve the look, feel and accessibility of the High Street. 

The proposed improvements include:

• Introducing one-way traffic on the High Street to create more space and a safer environment for pedestrians.
• Improved pedestrian connectivity and accessibility, improving pavements, widening footpaths and adding pedestrian crossings.
• Improved cycleways and cycle priority
• Landscape and streetscape improvements with new planting and trees
• New street furniture
• New signage and wayfinding

The public realm improvements will help the High Street to better serve local people and improve public perception and business confidence, which in turn will help to attract visitors and investment and contribute to the Council’s aim to regenerate the town centre.

The project will be delivered in partnership with Surrey County Council.

The work started on 9 February 2026 and will be delivered in phases, taking approximately one year to complete.

More information

For more information on the planned works, programme and phasing, please refer to Surrey County Council’s Horley town centre project webpage.

Artists impression

Pedestrianisation and one-way options for the High Street

The initial public engagement in 2022 identified that the pedestrianisation of the High Street was supported by many stakeholders, however, this option was dismissed by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council and Surrey County Council as it would cause significant impact to the surrounding road traffic and limit access to the town centre by servicing and emergency vehicles.

The one-way option being taken forward will create an attractive, greener and safer High Street that reduces the dominance of the car and provides more space for people to enjoy. The High Street will also include a dedicated cycle lane (National Cycle Route 21) for cyclists travelling towards the precinct (against traffic).

Public engagement was held in 2022 and 2023. View the engagement materials and feedback for the Horley High Street, subway and central car park improvement plans.

Accessibility

The proposed one-way system from Albert Road along to Lumley Road will create a safer space for pedestrians and cyclists. The removal of parking from the High Street will allow wider pavements on each side of the road, create more space for seating to encourage people to stay a while and allow generous space for clear movement by people with mobility difficulties, wheelchair users and people with buggies.

Proposals include various new crossing points that will provide level access across the road. We are working closely with Surrey County Council as the Local Highways Authority to ensure that the proposed changes meet best practise and are in line with local and wider government requirements.

Car parking and disabled bays

There are several car parks within a few minutes of the High Street. By removing the on-street parking we will be asking people to park a minute or two away from the shops, although there will be spaces for blue badge holders to use.

The intention is to retain the disabled bays as close as possible to the High Street - one by the junction with Albert Road (in a similar location to where they are now) and another close to the junction with Lumley Road. The separation of the disabled bays will offer the opportunity for disabled residents to park closer to each end of the High Street and reduce potential walking distances.

Disabled badge users are also able to park in the Central Car Park and the High Street Car Park, free of charge, in any bay (not just in disabled bays) with their badge displayed.

In April 2024 the Borough Council introduced 20 minutes free parking in its three Horley Town Centre car parks to allow for short stops. View the details of the Council’s Horley car parks.

Cycle way and cycle parking

Details of the cycle route, crossings, road kerbs, tactile paving, paving edges and textures have been consulted on and agreed with Surrey County Council.

The proposals will include cycle parking along the High Street and in the Precinct, although we don’t think these locations are appropriate to provide secure cycle storage. As part of this project, we will investigate with partners (Surrey County Council, Network Rail) how and where secure cycle parking could be implemented.

Make up of shops and commercial premises on the High Street

The Council does not own the commercial properties on the High Street or control who occupies them or the level of rent or business rates. However, we hope these improvements will create an attractive, vibrant town centre, making it more attractive to operators.

We have a number of initiatives to support local business and encourage a vibrant local economy. More information on the council support available can be found on the How we can support your business.

High Street businesses

All High Street businesses requiring access to their units via the High Street will need to use either the existing loading bay at the corner of Albert Road or use the new loading bay proposed on the High Street. Vehicles will no longer be able to stop on the High Street outside of the two loading bays. The local authorities (RBBC and Surrey County Council) will work with businesses to introduce a management system for the loading bays to coordinate use.

Except the disabled parking bays, all parking will be removed from the High Street. Staff will be able to use the public car parks located close to the High Street, the closest being Central Car Park and the High Street Car Park. Visitors can park in these car parks for 20 minutes free of charge to allow for short stops. View the details of the Council’s Horley car parks.

We will look to maintain services and minimise disruption to residents and businesses as much as possible whilst the programme is being implemented.

Details of the works, programme and phasing can be found on Surrey County Council’s Horley town centre project webpage.

Parking enforcement

We are working closely with Surrey County Council as the Local Highways Authority to provide a higher level of enforcement and guidance to the local community so the new High Street is kept free of parking and can support the largest number of residents and users it can. Surrey County Council took over responsibility for on-street parking enforcement from boroughs and districts across the county from 1 April 2023.

Precinct

The High Street public realm improvements present an opportunity for the local authorities (Reigate & Banstead Borough Council and Surrey County Council) to further invest in the Precinct. By doing so, we can replace some of the seating that has been damaged by vehicles and coordinate the designs with those being installed on the High Street. We can also introduce more greening and small trees.