GRAYSHOTT residents have attacked the Highways Agency's plans to close the existing A3 at Hindhead when the proposed tunnel is built as "absolute balderdash".

In a letter to local MP Virginia Bottomley, chief executive Tim Matthews said that the intention to keep the "old A3" was never part of the scheme and that his organisation would oppose it.

He argues that it would have a serious effect on the economic viability of the scheme, and combined with the loss of environmental benefits, the whole £107 million project would be in danger.

But East Hampshire district councillor for Grayshott Ferris Cowper told The Herald that this statement has only strengthened his commitment.

"This letter doesn't in anyway reduce my personal resolve in leading the local community which wants to keep the old A3 open," he said

Mr Cowper accuses the Highways Agency of a "fundamental failure" to understand the concerns of local people, adding that keeping the road open was the "number one issue" for Grayshott.

At a heated public meeting at Grayshott Village Hall in October, many residents said that local people should be able to use the A3 for short journeys.

In his letter, Mr Matthews said that it would be extremely difficult to restrict the existing A3 to just local traffic. The Highways Agency estimates that up to a third of potential tunnel users would use the A3 instead if it stayed open.

Mr Cowper strongly disagrees."This is absolute balderdash," he said. "No one will drive through Hindhead, over the old A3 then come back on at Thursley - it's nonsense. Clearly if the road was left open it would only be used by local people because they would be the only ones to see a benefit."

He also dismissed the Highways Agency's argument that the second bore tunnel could be used in an emergency, rather than the existing A3.

"There are clearly logistical problems in relying on the second bore as an emergency relief road," he said. "What about the tailbacks at either end of the tunnel? Keeping it open would be a benefit."

Mrs Bottomley has also expressed her frustration at Mr Matthews' response following a letter by her and NE Hampshire MP James Arbuthnot to Minister for Transport John Spellar.

The two MPs joined forces and wrote to the minister in an effort to stop the A3 tunnel proposals being "railroaded through" and to calm fears about the project which is due to be started in 2005/6 with a view to completion in 2009.

Mrs Bottomley said: "The A3 is an exceptionally sensitive issue, yet the Highways Agency does not appear to be listening."

She felt that while the chief executive began his letter by demonstrating how the Highways Agency had listened to people, he then dismissed any suggestion that the existing A3 be kept open.

"It appears that they have made their minds up about the future of the old A3," she said, "yet the public need to be kept on his side if the tunnel project is to succeed without creating hostility."

Having been involved in discussions with tunnel project leader Paul Arnold and project manager John Martin, Ferris Cowper said that some progress had been made.

"Barry Penny of Grayshott Parish Council and I had one quite substantial meeting which saw excellent progress."

He said that the Highways Agency representatives had invited them to test the Highway's Agency's traffic flow assumptions themselves. The results will be used as part of the consultation process. "This is excellent," Mr Cowper said, "what more could local people ask for?"

Their findings are expected to be shown at a public meeting at Grayshott Village Hall next February.

"This way we can move forward in an objective, analytical manner," Mr Cowper said.