PINCH points and access-only signs have been called for by residents as a way of stopping rat-running on one of the busiest back roads into Haslemere.

The survey followed a public meeting for those concerned about rat-running along the area's narrow country lanes by motorists trying to avoid jams on the A3 at Hindhead.

It was called by Jeremy Hunt, the prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate for SW Surrey, in June.

The results have come from questionnaires circulated in Shottermill and Critchmere outlining a variety of options, which include installing a one-way system on Critchmere Hill, speed cameras, traffic-calming humps, a mini-roundabout on Critchmere Lane and Critchmere Hill, 20 mph speed limits and speed limits painted on the road

Mr Hunt said that of the residents who responded to the survey, 82 per cent wanted pinch points on Critchmere Hill and Woolmer Hill Road, and an access-only order on the Critchmere area. A one-way system on Critchmere Hill and traffic calming humps, received little support.

The results will be passed to Surrey county councillor for Haslemere, Christine Stevens, in the hope that Surrey highways department will take them into account.

This week SCC's Waverley local transportation director, Phil Crossland, said that it was planned to hold a public consultation and he was accessing results from a questionnaire filled in by people visiting the recent A3 tunnel public exhibitions.

He tsaid that "access-only" rules were likely to be ineffective. "It is notoriously difficult to enforce," said Mr Crossland.

And speed cameras were not an option because the area did not meet government criteria on recorded casualties.

Mr Crossland told The Herald that pinch points, speed cushions, a safe-crossing option near Woolmer Hill School, and the possibility of weight limits on the affected roads are all part of a proposed traffic-calming scheme which will be discussed within the next few months before going out to public consultation, which includes a local exhibition

"We are working on a number of options that came from the questionnaire, but there is currently no funding in the SCC budget for the next three-year programme.

"Given the worst-case scenario, we will have to bid for funds," said Mr Crossland, who is taking up the case with the Government Office for the South.

With the Highways Agency responsible for the trunk roads, and SCC for local roads, Mr Crossland said he hoped that with the cost of any scheme somewhere between £45,000 and £100,00, a fraction of the £120m tunnel costs, it would be met by the Highways Agency.

As the A3 tunnel scheme shows an increase of traffic on Woolmer Hill Road, Mr Crossland said that additional funds may be made available

"We would like a traffic-calming scheme costed out after next year's public enquiry and to be in place before the tunnel building is under way" he said.