HUNDREDS of jobs could be under threat and the local economy plunged into crisis if current plans for the A3 tunnel scheme go ahead, businessmen have warned.
After a recent meeting of the business community saw the Haslemere and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce join forces with Business In Grayshott, a campaign has been launched to bring their concerns into the open.
Chamber of Trade member Simon Labrow of Keats Labrow told The Herald that by forming one large group the interests of local businesses will be better served.
"None of us is against the tunnel being built but we all have different views about closure of the section of the old A3. We just don't feel that the Highways Agency has listened to any of us so far. Hopefully we will be stronger as a big group than as separate factions," said Mr Labrow.
Among Mr Labrow's concerns are that many businesses in each of the areas will lose out on valuable passing trade.
Mr Labrow's concerns have been shared by the director of the BMW garage, Baron's of Hindhead, Chris Meech, and owner of Grayshott Pottery, Phil Bates.
An anxious Mr Labrow said: "I think the proposed Hazel Grove junction has been very badly planned. It is going to become incredibly congested and will add considerably to the journey times of people wanting to travel from Haslemere to Grayshott or Hindhead to Haslemere. I am concerned that this will put people off coming into the town and the villages."
Meanwhile, Mr Meech said he was concerned that the proposals to close the section of the existing A3 at the Devil's Punch Bowl would put Hindhead businesses under threat.
"Between the Hindhead crossroads and the National Trust car park at the Devil's Punch Bowl there is a small group of businesses that employ more than 100 people. If the Highways Agency closes the existing A3 over the Punch Bowl these businesses will end up in a cul-de-sac. All passing trade will be lost and the area will feel isolated," said Mr Meech.
Mr Labrow went on to criticise the Highways Agency for the lack of information received by local businesses.
"We've received the odd newsletter but overall I don't feel that we have been very well informed about the plans," Mr Labrow added.
And Mr Labrow expressed his concerns that the community liaison officer responsible for gathering views from people in the local area is employed by the Highways Agency contractor, Balfour Beatty.
"I think it would have been better to have someone who was completely independent of the Highways Agency and its contractors representing our interests. It would make the community feel more confident that its voice mattered," Mr Labrow said.
But a Highways Agency spokesman denied that it had not listened to the local community and claimed that it is the usual procedure for the community liaison officer to be employed by one of its contractors.
"The Highways Agency is always open to people writing in with their views or by contacting the A3 tunnel group information line," the spokesman said.
And the spokesman added: "The Highways Agency has made an effort to consult people widely and always listens to what people have to say, taking on board their comments."
The Highways Agency was not the only organisation to bear the brunt of criticism this week. Mr Bates complained that he has become frustrated by what he claims is a lack of interest shown by the officers employed by Waverley Borough Council and East Hampshire District Council to represent the interests of businesses.
"It has been frustrating that the councils don't seem to have shown much, if any, interest in the implications the tunnel scheme could have on the local economy," Mr Bates said.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the proposals for the tunnel should contact the Highways Agency's information line which is open on Mondays to Fridays from 8 am to 8 pm, on 08457 504030.