A PUBLIC inquiry next summer is the best way to decide whether the Òold A3Ó should be closed or not, according to the project leader of the £150 million Hindhead tunnel.

Paul Arnold made the comments at a meeting of the wider reference group last Thursday, which more than 30 people attended at the Beacon Hill British Legion Club.

The WRG is part of the ongoing consultation process, with representatives from STOAT, Bramshott and Liphook Parish Council, Haslemere Town Council, Grayshott Parish Council, The Haslemere Society, the Nutcombe Valley residentsÕ association. the RamblersÕ Association, the National Trust and local businesses all in attendance.

The revised plans for the tunnel were on display, but the meeting was dominated by the thorny subject of the old A3.

Anti-closure campaign group STOAT came in for more criticism than usual with several speakers vehmently opposed to the groupÕs proposal to keep the road open, fearing it would not only put lives at risk but jeopardise the whole scheme.

The Highways Agency panel gave a series of presentations explaining the schemes progress, and attempted to address various local concerns. Mr Arnold said that he thought they now had the best possible scheme given the constraints, but further amendments could be made in September if necessary.

ÒWe expect a public inquiry in June 2004 - we do think thatÕs the best way now to resolve some of the outstanding issues,Ó he said. ÒEvery side can put its case and we expect a decision in early 2005.Ó

Bob Marlow - from Highways AgencyÕs advisor Atkins - responded to criticisms of the project raised on The Herald letters page and at a recent meeting in Liphook. He denied that the scheme was being designed to minimum standards.

ÒThere are EU directives on tunnel safety, produced following a number of major incidents including Mont Blanc,Ó he said. ÒThe A3 isnÕt part of the trans-European network, so this doesnÕt apply, but look at the current draft and we confirm to them all. In fact we exceed some of the requirements.Ó

Mr Marlow said that despite concerns, visibility in the tunnel of between 160m and 295m would be better than the existing roadÕs 50m to 90m. Contraflow would improve safety on the road, he added.

ÒWith lighting, CCTV surveillance, detectors, and protection from the weather, it is clear that contraflow in the tunnel is much safer,Ó he continued. ÒEven if the old A3 was kept open, we would still use the tunnel for contraflow.Ó

Finally he said that they had Òno concerns at allÓ about the capacity of the Hazel Grove junction because it would have three times whatÕs needed.

Robert Serman of the Haslemere Society said that he was interested in the STOAT claim that 3,000,000 extra km of traffic would be generated by not retaining the A3 for local journeys. Mr Arnold said the agency hadnÕt checked the figure yet.

ÒWhat we have shown is that though the journeys will be longer, the time taken would be the same,Ó he added.

Mr Serman said that faster traffic equals less pollution. John Tough from Liphook Parish Council said that he was ÒhorrifiedÓ by STOATÕs proposals.

ÒKeeping the road open would result in unneccesary and accidental deaths, and IÕm worried it would endanger the entire scheme.Ó

Dennis Holmes from the RamblersÕ Association said that they were delighted with the underpass at Greensands, and totally in support of the closure of the A3.

ÒThe benefits to walkers are quite significant,Ó he added. ÒIt is a complete package - I canÕt personally see how you can divide the two.Ó

Chris Meech from Barons of Hindhead asked about the vision for north of the traffic lights once the road is closed. ÒHindhead is always portrayed as run down, but from the traffic lights to the National Trust cafe 140 people are employed,Ó he said. ÒMany jobs were created because of the road, so we would like a proper analysis of the effect on business with both the road open and closed.Ó

Mr Arnold said the agency was working on that at the moment. ÒWeÕve been collecting data for the last month or so,Ó he said. ÒIt is our intention that the issue will be fully addressed at the publication of draft orders in October.Ó

Tony Hall of the Nutcombe Valley ResidentsÕ Association said that anyone who didnÕt realise local property values will go up by 15 per cent when the tunnel opens, is ÒcrackersÓ.

He said: ÒThat section of Hindhead crossroads will be an an absolute gold mine for Barons, restaurants, whoever wants it - it will go ballistic.Ó

John Tough said that the affect of the bypass on Liphook had been positive. ÒPeople thought it would empty the village of traffic, but it is as busy as it ever was,Ó he said. ÒThe village has prospered and benefited from it, and IÕm sure that is what will happen in Hindhead.Ó

Mr Arnold said they were Òcaught between a rock and a hard placeÓ in balancing the interests of the environment and local people.

ÒWeÕre in an impossible situation,Ó he said. ÒYou canÕt look at an apple and a pear and say theyÕre equal or oneÕs better than the other. We need to take it to a public inquiry as soon as we can to see if local concerns should outweigh government policy.Ó