MPs James Arbuthnot and Jeremy Hunt have joined villagers and the emergency services in demanding action from Hampshire and Surrey county councils to end the 'Highway to Hell' carnage. Highways authorities from both counties heard that the death and serious injury toll on the A31 Bentley bypass was "totally unacceptable", at a meeting in Bentley last Friday. And they called for more measures to stem the rising tide of fatalities. Mr Hunt's office said highways officials from both councils have agreed to undertake a feasibility study into making the road between Alton and Farnham less dangerous for residents and other road users. At the moment driveways, lanes and The Bull Inn car park pull directly out onto the fast-moving dual carriageway, with no room to gather entry speed and limited visibility. There are also several openings in the central reservation where traffic can wait, turn and do U- turns, but motorists on the dual carriageway drive as if they are on a mororway. The result of this study should be reported back to a meeting in February. Northbrook Residents' Association (NRA) chairman Nick Roach has already commissioned an independent study into the operational safety of four accident blackspot junctions on the A31 at Bentley, which he has made available to the councils as supporting material to the study. The NRA report, which only covers accidents on the Hampshire stretch, reveals that, this year alone there have been 22 accidents and of those, five involved minor or serious injuries and one had resulted in a fatality. Mr Roach said that the Surrey figures were expected to be "much worse" and could show as many as 50 accidents a year on that side of the border. After the meeting, North East Hampshire MP James Arbuthnot said: "The best thing about the meeting was that everyone agreed to work together. We can tackle this urgent and serious issue only if we adopt a joint approach, and set aside boundaries to address what really matters to people, namely the safety of everyone using this road." South West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt said: "When it comes to road safety, words are not enough. We need action. That is why I am so pleased that Surrey and Hampshire county councils committed today (Friday) to doing a study into options for improving that treacherous stretch of road and to do it by the beginning of next year." Also attending the meeting were representatives from the Chamber Lane Group, The Bull Inn, Northbrook Residents' Association and Gravel Hill Group along with Bentley Parish Council and Hampshire and Surrey constabularies. Mr Roach said: "This stretch of road has one of the worst accident records in the south and our independent road survey has concluded that the accident level is well above the national average. "We are delighted with the attendance of the meeting. We had something like 300 people turn out to support our campaign. We are particularly grateful to James Arbuthnot MP and Jeremy Hunt MP for their determination to extract assurances from both HCC and SCC for an urgent and independent feasibility review for a comprehensive road safety system. "Both councils were presented with some surprising evidence that had been obtained by residents. The consultants and residents are now working with Hampshire and Surrey and another meeting has been arranged for Hampshire and Surrey to meet with MPs to assess proposals, in mid-February." An SCC spokesman has confirmed that discussions with Hampshire are ongoing, and a joint strategy for safety improvements is due to be agreed by highway engineers representing the two authorities in early 2008. A spokesman for Hampshire Highways confirmed: "The intention is to go ahead immediately with signing and visibility improvements on the Hampshire section of the A31 and at the same time to work in partnership with Surrey on the feasibility of further safety measures on the full length between Bentley and Farnham, which it is hoped can be implemented next year."
