Hundreds of people turned up to the East Hampshire District Council meeting, at LiphookÕs Millennium Hall, to air their views as the North East Area Community Committee held the forum to discuss whether the A3 between the Hindhead traffic lights and Boundless Road should be closed.
In recent months concerns have grown that closing the road would badly affect the lives of local residents and businesses, particularly in Grayshott. The Highways Agency and the National Trust have insisted the road must close for the project to go ahead at all.
In attendance were representatives from the Highways Agency, campaign group STOAT (Save The Old A Three), the National Trust, the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE), Bramshott and Liphook and Grayshott parish councils and Haslemere Chamber of Trade.
Like previous public meetings held to discuss the matter two years ago, the Highways Agency received a rough ride from a highly critical audience.
Jeers of disbelief and cries of derision were heard on a number of occasions as project leader Paul Arnold tried to defend the Highways AgencyÕs decisions.
Mr Arnold began the debate with a 15 minute presentation, explaining the agencyÕs reasons for closing the road.
ÒThe removal of all through traffic on the existing A3 through the DevilÕs Punch Bowl SSSI would bring substantial benefits to that area, allowing a significant improvement to the quality of the habitat and enjoyment of the area,Ó he said. ÒThis could not be achieved fully by leaving the A3 open to albeit smaller traffic flows.Ó
Diana Owen, from the National Trust, put the environmental case, explaining that closing the road was a unique opportunity to reunite the Hindhead Commons with the DevilÕs Punch Bowl.
ÒIt is a once in a generation, a once in a century opportunity,Ó she said. ÒIt will not just benefit us, but our grandchildren and our grandchildrenÕs grandchildren.Ó
STOATÕs deputy chairman and Grayshott parish councillor Barry Penny also gave a presentation. He claimed that closure would be harmful to the local business economy and would increase traffic problems in the village.
ÒMuch has been made about the benefits of closing the old A3 in respect of Hindhead Common,Ó he said. ÒSTOATÕs view is since traffic along the old A3 would reduce to 17 per cent of current levels, any adverse effect on the environment and wildlife will similarly reduce.Ó
Mr Penny also argued that the tunnel is unsafe without the existing A3 available in emergencies.
ÒAll these dangers would be avoided by just retaining the old A3,Ó he said. ÒThe saving of just one life or serious injury should not be jeopardised.Ó
But it was during public question time that the meeting really came alive.
Pat Lyons, an engineer from Grayshott, was concerned that no alternative options for the tunnel had been proposed.
ÒI look at the scheme and am confronted by minimum design standards and things that are accepted to be unsafe,Ó he said. ÒThe distance between the slip road at Hazel Grove and the southern portal has been substantially reduced, from 280m in 1995 to 200m.Ó
Mr Lyons said that travelling at 60pmh, the average driver would have about six seconds to decide what lane to go into when they exit the tunnel.
A number of speakers questioned the apparent environmental benefits of closing the road. ÒI must say I get angry,Ó said Geoffrey Lee from Kingswood Firs. ÒHindhead is a very small area and in context itÕs pretty third rate.Ó
The apparent lack of public consultation on the issue was a source of contention for many.
John Felton said he had been given no reason at all to believe the road should be closed. ÒWe donÕt want people coming down from London and telling us what weÕve got to do,Ó he said, to a round of applause.
John Morgan from Grayshott addressed the committee members directly. ÒI ask that you to give weight to the community that have put you where you are,Ó he said.
There were a few speakers in support of the road closure, including a businessman from near the Hindhead traffic lights, who said it was an exciting opportunity.
ÒItÕs not true that no local people want the road closed,Ó he said. ÒA lot of people came here with their views made up already. IÕm very much looking forward to the land being reunited in what could be a beautiful site.Ó
Bruce Philpott from Grayshott suggested keeping the old A3 open for a fixed period, then reviewing its use after a few years. His Òcommon senseÓ idea received a lot of support from councillors and the audience.
Mr Arnold did his best to answer his critics. He explained that the Hazel Grove junction couldnÕt be moved further south because the Highways Agency does not own the land on either side of the road.
ÒThere will be signing outside the tunnel at northern end, and road markings should provide adequate warning,Ó he said. ÒOn the National Trust, nobody can deny that an organisation given powers by act of Parliament has to be treated with some deference.Ó
The project leader explained that the next stage of the scheme was the publication of draft orders, which would allow people to formally object. A public inquiry would then follow.
The open forum was then followed by the councillorsÕ discussion. STOAT member Ferris Cowper led the way, stating that so far no local government body has represented the views of local people on the issue, including Waverley Borough Council, Surrey County Council or Hampshire County Council.
ÒWouldnÕt it be a sad state of affairs if EHDC didnÕt either,Ó he said. He repeated his previous calls for a referendum, and asked whether local and central government would want to go against the views of 90 per cent of the local population.
He also supported Mr PhilpottÕs suggestion to keep the road open for a trial period.
ÒWe want facts, not guesses,Ó Mr Cowper said. ÒPaul comes from the same company that gave us the M25 so letÕs not talk about traffic predictions. Nobody knows what the traffic is going to be like, so let us have a spot of experimentation.Ó
Members agreed to pass the publicÕs comments on to the councilÕs Rural Access and Rural Affairs Panel meeting. Their views will be added before a final report is presented to the cabinet.