THURSLEY Parish Council has demanded an urgent meeting with the Highways Agency and Surrey County Council after an eight-hour emergency closure of the A3 tunnel last week caused "complete traffic gridlock" in the village.

Diverted heavy goods vehicles wreaked rush-hour havoc last Tuesday after a technical failure within the tunnel control and operating systems led to it being closed in both directions and traffic poured into Thursley.

A specialised engineer was summoned from Derby and the tunnel was closed from 5.30pm until the repair was completed at 2am.

Southend football fans travelling to a match against Portsmouth at Fratton Park were caught up in the chaos in both directions.

For full story, see this week's Farnham Herald.