Minister for Transport Patrick McLoughlin is being challenged to conduct a review into the management of the A3 Hindhead tunnel by Highways England.

Waverley Borough Council leader Robert Knowles is writing to the Secretary of State asking for a review into how the tunnel is managed, following the latest closure, which caused traffic chaos and tailbacks last Wednesday morning affecting thousands of commuters from the Petersfield area.

Meanwhile South West Surrey MP?Jeremy Hunt has written to the agency’s chief executive asking for an explanation as to why there have been so many closures since the tunnel opened in 2011.

Mr Knowles said: “I have lost count of the number of times the tunnel has been closed since it opened.

“I will be writing to the Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin, asking for a review into how the tunnel is managed.

“I want to know why the tunnel is closed so frequently and why Highways England is so unprepared; there should be a contingency plan for when things go wrong. It is ridiculous that motorists are being held up for hours and hours, time and time again and the situation cannot continue.

“Back in 2011 we were told that the tunnel would be state-of-the-art – would transform travel and improved journey times.

“However it is causing disruption to the road network in Surrey and causing frustrations for our residents and travellers through the county. Every major project should be reviewed to see if it is delivering against its objectives – it is time for a review.”

Mr Hunt said he has was also writing to Highways England, to: “Ensure the chief executive is fully aware of the strength of concern about the frequency of closures”.

Mr Hunt said: “I have received emails and calls raising strong concerns about the frequent closures of the Hindhead Tunnel.

“Following last week’s sudden complete closure, I have written to the chief executive for an explanation as to why there have been so many closures since the tunnel opened in 2011, which have caused frequent disruption to the local network and enormous frustration and inconvenience to my constituents.”

Highways England would not comment on either Tory figure’s letters as The Herald went to press.

Thursley Parish Council chairman Peter Hunter, and Andrew Moncreiff, ex-chairman of Fernhurst Parish Council who was the UKIP parliamentary candidate for Chichester, in May’s General Election, joined in the outcry about the delays .

Last week’s tunnel closure was put down to a technical failure of the matrix signs causing traffic queues just after 9.45am, lasting throughout the morning.

Northbound vehicles came off the A3 at Hindhead, before a diversion was put in place at 11am via Longmoor, for traffic travelling north.

Southbound traffic backed up towards Milford and knock-on effects meant delays through Hindhead, Haslemere and Grayswood.

Some cars and lorries began to go through narrow country lanes at Thursley, despite “No HGVs” restrictions.

Mr Hunter said: “It has taken a long time to get the ‘No HGVs’ signs at the end of Dye House Road but non-English speakers do not know what it means. Highways England is aware of the problem and aware the signs are not understood.”

Mr Hunter said the situation had improved since a round table meeting between organisations in December 2013 and diversions for planned works were handled well.

A Surrey Police spokesman said: “The decision to close the Hindhead Tunnel in both directions for several hours on August 12 was taken by Highways England and we attended to assist with road closures to minimise the impact on drivers and local residents.

“A diversion route was implemented which sent vehicles on a route back to the A31 Hogs Back. However, police received a number of reports that vehicles had not adhered to the advised diversion routes and had instead travelled through residential areas.”

The spokesman added if there are no height or weight restrictions on alternative routes taken by motorists they are entitled to continue their journey.

Mr Moncreiff said: “Thirty years ago this technology did not exist and cars drove through tunnels perfectly safely. Do the powers-that-be think we are now so infantilised by traffic controls we are unable to drive through a tunnel without the assistance of an illuminated green arrow – as opposed to a red cross?

“This is not just ‘political correctness gone mad’, it is a complete failure of common sense.”

He said the authorities had insisted on closing the old A3 when the tunnel project was in its planning stages, although campaigners had fought to keep the old A3 open as a relief road.

“The authorities insisted on closing the old A3 and returning it to grass, apparently to improve wildlife habitat, and they justified this with an expectation that the tunnel would only be closed once in approximately 30 years.”

The Herald put a number of questions to Highways England in relation to the frequency of unscheduled closures and whether it reviewed its diversion plans.

A spokesman said engineers were looking at the causes of last Wednesday’s issue but did not think it was linked to any ongoing problem. The spokesman said: “We test and maintain our systems regularly to ensure there is as little disruption to road users as possible.”