THE massive response to the Hindhead A3 tunnel exhibition is an indicator of people's "anxiety and frustration" says MP for SW Surrey Virginia Bottomley.
More than 1,000 people made their way to the presentation on Friday and Saturday. Many couldn't get through the doors to the packed display.
Inside the Devil's Punchbowl Hotel, a model of the entrance and exit to the tunnel was shown as well as maps detailing the various proposed routes for the scheme
Mrs Bottomley congratulated Highways Agency project team leader Paul Arnold on the exhibition and said that the scheme is an opportunity for everyone to move forward.
She said: "It has been a most exasperating journey, with many false dawns, but I believe that it is a real opportunity for the town and surrounding villages, residents and travellers.
"In addition it presents a magnificent opportunity for the National Trust to extend the Sites of Special and Scientific Interest that are of international renown at Hindhead."
Mrs Bottomley also reiterated her dedication to securing a specific timetable. "I have written to John Spenner, the new Minister of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, recommending that this should be his number one priority in the South. Now that we have the information I shall be campaigning for a timetable."
People visiting the exhibition were handed feedback forms to submit their views and any comments which have been collected by the Highways Agency.
Paul Arnold said: "There are a number of detail issues that the feedback will help us address, principally at the southern end of the scheme. We do want people to help with this, especially equestrian users."
Mr Arnold has worked on many tunnels in his career, but admits that the A3 at Hindhead has been a challenge.
He told The Herald: "This tunnel has been more fraught than most. I like to compare it to a game of snakes and ladders - just when you think you're making progress, you take two steps back."