THE long-awaited construction work for the £371m Hindhead tunnel scheme gets under way with roadworks starting on Monday. Contractors working for the Highways Agency need to construct three underpasses. This will be achieved by reducing each A3 carriageway to a single lane to provide a safe working area. The next step will be to put two-way traffic on one carriageway while engineers use the carriageway to build the underpass. At the north end – nearest to Guildford – contractors will be constructing the Greensand Way and Hindhead Hill Farm underpasses. There will be a 40 mph speed limit and the cones will start just north of the Thursley junction. At the south end where engineers are constructing the Canadian Memorial Underpass, there will be a 50 mph speed limit and the cones will start just south of the Liphook junction. At peak times, according to the Agency, traffic will take an additional five minutes to drive through the road works. Paul Arnold, Highways Agency Project Leader, said: "We ask drivers to keep to the speed limits and follow the signs for the new layout which are in place for the safety of drivers and the workforce. If everyone does their bit it will improve traffic flow." According to Mr Arnold, work for the north end is scheduled to finish this December and work for the south end, near Liphook, in July 2008. Tunnelling is due to start in March 2008 and the tunnel is due to open in 2011. An exhibition centre is due to open this June/July, so residents and visitors can view progress and items of interest. There will also be a couple of observation points – one at the south end and one at the north end. By diverting the A3 traffic under the Devil's Punch Bowl, it will have important environmental benefits for the area. Mr Arnold is keen to stress the importance of minimising the impact of the tunnelling on the environment such as taking care of hibernating dormice. He said: "Before we carry out any scheme, we carry out environment checks." The National Trust and other key environmental bodies are working with local councils to explain and support the work on the A3 Hindhead tunnel, through the partnership 'Hindhead Together'. The partnership looks to reunite lanscapes in the South East for nature conservation, recreation and tourism purposes as well as freeing Hindhead from traffic congestion. 'Hindhead Together' includes not only the National Trust but the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership, Natural England, the Highways Agency, The South East Develoment Agency, Surrey County Council, Waverley Borough Council and Haslemere Town Council. For more information about the A3 tunnel visit http://www.highways.gov.uk">www.highways.gov.uk and click on project and type in A3. For information about the 'Hindhead Together' partnership, visit http://www.hindheadtogether.org.uk">www.hindheadtogether.org.uk.
