THE wheels are finally beginning to turn on the long-awaited, multi-million-pound A3 tunnel project. Approval for the scheme - which will create two tunnels running from Hindhead to Thursley, replacing the current problematic Hindhead traffic lights - was given in October. The decision to go ahead with the £371 million scheme put an end to years of stalling on the issue, and work should be completed in time for the 2012 London Olympics. And with clearing work at the tunnel entrances starting this month, things are now starting to roll. An exhibition is opening in Grayshott next Friday (January 19) to show the work due to take place. And the Hindhead Together group - made up of key members behind the tunnel plans, as well as members of the many groups supporting the proposal - met at Boundless Copse on Wednesday to show their unity over the idea. They confirmed their full support for the nature conservation, wildlife, habitat and woodlands work that is getting under way, preparing the sites for the start of tunnelling. Surrey County Council environment portfolio holder David Munro, together with representatives from Natural England and other organisations, had an update from Paul Arnold, project manager for The Highways Agency. Mr Munro said: "We are pleased to see that the work now getting under way by The Highways Agency and Balfour Beatty on the sites at Boundless Copse and Tyndall's Wood is being done to the highest conservation standards. Once completed, this project will bring enormous benefits to people across the county." Alan Law, Natural England's director for the South East, added: "The work now being managed by The Highways Agency in preparing the sites, including the care being taken to look after the wildlife, meets our highest standards for wildlife conservation. "In this one project we have a road scheme making a strong and positive contribution to benefiting the landscape in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, at the same time helping to offset the huge historic loss of heathland in the South East. Wildlife and people will both gain." The Hindhead Together group includes The National Trust, the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership, Natural England, The Highways Agency, the South East England Development Agency, Surrey County Council, Waverley Borough Council and Haslemere Town Council. All of these are backing the A3 tunnel and landscaping project. Sue Saville, regional director of The National Trust, explained: "This project sets new standards for road schemes in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and will deliver huge environmental, recreational and safety benefits." "The tunnel and landscape restoration will allow us to reunite one of the most dramatic and inspirational landscapes in the South East for nature conservation, recreation and tourism purposes. "We are giving our full support to The Highways Agency and their contractors as they start this major project." Gillian Ferguson, leader of Waverley Borough Council, said: "Our local communities should see widespread benefits in the years to come, helping to give them a better quality of life and to enjoy the area more." The Forestry Commission's regional conservator, Alan Betts, added: "While this project involves some tree felling, the management and planning behind the scheme will ensure longer-term environmental and biodiversity gains in the area." And South West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt is today (Friday) doing his bit to ensure the work gets under way - by digging the first hole. Mr Hunt is keen to ensure that the agreed timeframe is kept to, as he believes it is crucial that the work is completed in time for the 2012 Olympics. He said: "I am looking forward to visiting the clearance site and seeing for myself that, after months of campaigning, there is hope for Hindhead and Haslemere residents and the many commuters who use the A3. "I am determined that construction work sticks to the agreed schedule, so will be following the progress closely. "The start of clearance work marks a significant step forward and I welcome this first sign of action towards cutting congestion in south-west Surrey." The A3 tunnel and landscape scheme will be on display at the Highways Agency's public exhibition at Grayshott Village Hall on Friday, January 19 and Saturday, January 20.