A REGENERATION scheme could mean a light at the end of the tunnel for Hindhead crossroads.

Waverley Borough Council has announced plans to revitalise the crossroads area in two years' time. The proposals follow government approval of the tunnel for the A3 this March.

Members of the Waverley executive committee heard on Tuesday that consultants are expected to be appointed this summer to begin work on the design of the tunnel and its approaches, although a timetable for the tunnel has not yet been given.

Committee chairman and leader of the council David Harmer told the meeting that work on the tunnel is hoped to start in 2005/6, with a view to completion in 2009.

He said that when the latest Local Plan was produced, it was agreed that a supplementary plan would take account of the needs of the area.

"We want to move in parallel with the highways people and get our act together or we could be in the state where they charge ahead with the tunnel and we're left with the blighted area," warned Jean Mansley.

Waverley officers' report said they recognised that the crossroads area had suffered "blight" because of heavy traffic and uncertainty about the tunnel option.

Officers said that the preparation of the suplementary planning guidance SPG was taking place so that the new policies required could work in parallel with design work on the tunnel and its approaches.

The overall study will focus on the crossroads and look at the constraints, problems and the situation in a wider context. It will include plans for bringing together the two National Trust properties, at present divided by the A3, Hindhead Common and the Devil's Punchbowl.

It will also seek to protect environmental, geological and ecological assets, provide a basis for development control decisions, provide guidance and incentive to steer investment, development and redevelopment.

The SPG will assess the built-up areas of Hindhead and its character and include nearby areas as part of a plan to identify and assess features of importance and areas requiring special protection.

The social and economic role of the area and how it relates to other centres, such as Haslemere, Wey Hill and Beacon Hill, and its problems would also be considered.

Among other areas to be assessed are potential problems for pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and traffic, including public transport.

Sites and areas for development and redevelopment are to be gauged, along with future land-use options to meet the needs of the local population.

Opportunities will exist for partnership working within the private and public sector.

Although the brief for SPG has been produced following consultation with the Highways Agency, it is not intended to examine the engineering issues of the tunnel, which will be subject to a separate public inquiry.

The timetable for the proposals includes liaising this autumn with groups including Haslemere Town Council, residents' associations, the Business Forum, the Chamber of Commerce, landowners, Surrey and Hampshire County Councils and EHDC. It is hoped the project brief will be agreed by November this year.

Research work is hoped to be started by December and a report made to Waverley next summer.

In autumn 2002 a draft SPG will be published and there will be public exhibitions, meetings and consultation period. Further consultation required should be in spring 2003 and the formal adoption of the SPG in late summer 2003.