HASLEMERE Town Council has set aside major concerns about job losses, traffic problems and road safety and officially supported the closure of the Òold A3Ó once the £150 million Hindhead tunnel is built.

At a meeting of the full council last Thursday, members were united on the controversial issue which has previously divided them.

Jacquie Keen argued that continuing opposition to the closure of the road could put the whole project in jeopardy.

ÒInitially I did have concerns about the safety of the tunnel, until I saw a presentation on it and my fears were allayed,Ó she said. ÒThe longer we go on with this ÔSave The Old A3Õ, the more concerned I become that we could lose the tunnel altogether.

ÒOther areas have lost bypasses over continuing opposition,Ó she added.

Her comments were reiterated by deputy mayor and Hindhead councillor Jean Arrick, who called for members to Òhold their hands upÓ to supporting the closure and to highlight the environmental benefits.

The one voice of dissent was Roger Starr, also councillor for Hindhead, who urged caution.

ÒWe must consider the future and the implications of the tunnel in six yearsÕ time and the effect closing the road would have on businesses,Ó he said. ÒWe then canÕt suddenly decide we want the road opened for minor traffic.Ó

The agreed resolution was drafted by Mark Lelliott, who after the meeting told The Herald that the council was nonetheless aware of concerns local people had about the old A3.

Businesses and action groups have expressed disappointment with the controversial decision. President of the Chamber of Trade Melanie Odell said that closing the road Òdid Haslemere no favoursÓ.

ÒIf the closure goes ahead there will obviously be job losses,Ó she told The Herald. ÒI donÕt think much thought has gone into the effect it will have.Ó

Mrs Odell said that the town council did not consult with the chamber before making its decision.

ÒI think that we all realise that it may not be possible to save the old A3,Ó she continued. ÒHaving said that, we have been bitterly disappointed by the lack of consultation by the Highways Agency and the various councils.Ó

The chamber is particularly concerned about the effect the road closure will have on businesses in Hindhead. Mrs Odell is not convinced by plans to turn the current shopping area north of the traffic lights into a cul-de-sac.

ÒCertain businesses in Haslemere are concerned as well, if the tunnel is closed to traffic and the A3 isnÕt available,Ó she said. ÒJust look at what happened on Tuesday (see report of heath fire on this page), it was bedlam - nothing could get in or out of Haslemere.Ó

Mrs Odell said the road should be left open, at least for a trial period.

ÒIt doesnÕt do Haslemere any favours - what is the point in taking such an irrevocable step? ItÕs absolutely pointless - if they keep it open for a time they get the best of both worlds.Ó

The proposed closure of the existing A3 has become one of the most contentious issues surrounding the long-awaited tunnel scheme.

The Highways Agency has maintained that the road should be closed between the National Trust cafe and Boundless Road, despite repeated opposition from campaigners.

The National Trust has also insisted on the closure, stressing that it will bring many environmental benefits by reuniting the common land around the DevilÕs Punch Bowl.

Campaign group STOAT (Save The Old A Three) has been the prime mover in the case to keep the road open.

ÒIÕm disappointed by the town councilÕs position, and find the resolutionÕs mention of the environment very interesting,Ó said vice-chairman of STOAT and Grayshott parish councillor Barry Penny.

ÒThe Highways Agency always mentions the environment, but has so far failed to produce an environmental assessment on why there is a case for closing the A3.Ó

STOAT is meeting with Waverley borough and East Hampshire district councillors this week to update them on the groupÕs latest progress.

Both WBC and EHDC are expected to come to their own official views on the road closure in the next few months.

Waverley will organise a parliamentary-style select committee into the matter, after councillors agreed this week that it was the top priority.

On Monday, members of WaverleyÕs environment and leisure overview and scrutiny committee deferred plans for a Waverley theatre so that the issue could be addressed as soon as possible.

Chairman Richard Gates said that the council could not delay, as the Highways Agency is due to issue draft orders for the scheme in October.

Later this month the main organisations with an interest in the tunnel will be invited to make a presentation to the committee, and to provide written comments in advance.

Members will then make a site visit early next month, and in the week beginning October 27 will hold the first of two special meetings at a local venue, possibly the Haslewey community centre. Half-a-dozen groups will be allowed to speak for 15 minutes each.

The second meeting is scheduled for November 18, for the committee to consider officersÕ reports on the draft orders and the Statement of Principles, in the light of evidence already heard.

On December 2, the executive will consider the committeeÕs recommendations before coming to a final view on December 16. Waverley will then submit its official view on the matter to the Highways Agency before the close of the consultation period.

If formal objections are lodged during this time, a public inquiry is expected to take place in June next year.

l Businesses put up banners to state their case - Page 3.