Hindhead Tunnel Web Site: As Featured In The Petersfield and Borden Post

A3 Tunnel Southbound Road: Now Open

2009-12-23T00:11:00.000-08:00

As A3 Hindhead Tunnel southbound road section now open! Wow! Exciting developments. New perspectives in Hindhead when driving on the A3. Plus a little extra inconvenience... but not for so long...

...The Hindhead Tunnel project manager, Paul Arnold, said on Delta radio that the Hazlegrove junction will open in January and the new road will be in use both ways. 50mph and single lane restrictions in force.

But caution. As at the moment you need to be careful, otherwise you end up going all the way down to Liphook junction and then have to drive back north to go back up to Grayshott!

The new stretch, 1.25 miles long (2km) really open up vistas never seen before... and I can't help straining my neck to take a peek back north towards the southern portal and the huge cutting.

The project is still on target and on budget. Road laying on the southbound carriageway road has been largely completed. This really brings home a clear vista into the tunnel when approaching from Guildford. Fitting out of the tunnel has already started.

I fell that the hardest bit will come this time next year. The tunnel will be finished. BUT 2011 will see testing activity and it will seem like a long wait till opening in summer 2011.

But I wonder if they will manage to complete this testing early and open earlier than forecast. Are they on a bonus for early completion?

What do you think? Your comments are welcome. Please subscribe today for updates.

Happy Christmas!

A Devil's Punch Bowl Walk From Matthew

2009-10-05T03:15:00.000-07:00

If you live in the Hindhead area you are very lucky as there is a magnificent piece of countryside for all kinds of outdoor pursuits that goes by the name of the Devil's Punch Bowl. It is a natural depression in the landscape that forms well ... a bowl. But legend says it is caused by the devil tormenting the god Thor by throwing handfuls of dirt at him.

The bowl has unspoilt streams, woodlands and heath. It is run by the National Trust and there is a very nice cafe at the car park. So if you don't live in Hindhead you can still visit this most magnificent area. If you want to stay in the bowl over night, contact the Youth Hostel Association.

I was fortunate to be able to hike around the bowl at night with my son's scout group. There is certainly a different side to the bowl at night. It was cold, frosty and there was the threat of snow. The woodlands cast all sorts of eerie shadows and the streams, well if you weren’t careful, you ended up in them. The heath was open and you could spot animals moving across them.

After two and a half hours of wonderful exploration we ended up at the local scout hut and had a very delicious and warming a hot chocolate around a camp fire. There we bunked down for the night.

After all that mud our boots needed a good clean. Fortunately we had our mocean boot scrapers. The boot scraper is excellent for cleaning mud from all kinds of muddy boots. Check them out at www.boot-scraper.co.uk

If you come to Hindhead I am sure you will find it hard to leave.

Matthew Taylor

Lance says... Thank you Matthew for your story. Your description will entice more to hike and explore the Devil's Punchbowl.

Free promotion details here: http://hindheadtunnel.blogspot.com/2009/09/hindhead-autumn-will-you-get-free.html

Palm House And Property Market In Hindhead: Growth Ahead?

2009-10-01T05:56:00.000-07:00

Its been a wonderful late Summer and early Autumn. So I thought I would show some pictures of a fine house in the radiant sunshine last week... and looking at these reminds me what a wonderful place Hindhead is to live.

And this seems to be bourne out by the number of people looking to move to the area from both London but also the many surrounding areas. An estate agent friend is rushed off his feet with the activity from buyers. It's interesting to see how others also believe Hindhead will be even more desirable, and more expensive a place to live once the A3 tunnel gets even closer to completion.

They have been hugely impressed with the response for one particular property in Hindhead -- and the owner has given me permission to discuss this. They have two firm offers in just three days of marketing, and with many more viewings lined up, I can see that quality property here will become more and more sought after.

Palm House, Linkside West is for sale -- take a look at the video of this unique minimalist house below:

All details and pictures can be found on rightmove here. It is a very high end refurbishment that has real "curb appeal" and style on one of the most sought after Linkside West plots. Its a supremely quiet location -- but with convenient shops, schools and amenities close by. And with the golf course and woods on the doorstep it is truly a perfect place to live.

Have you sold, bought or rented recently in the area? How is the market? Does the Hindhead tunnel have an impact?

I would love to hear of your experiences.... just comment below.

Here's to a fine and colourful Hindhead Autumn. And hope the property market has stabilised in your area.

Hindhead Autumn: Will You Get Free Publicity For Your Business?

2009-09-30T04:09:00.001-07:00

A3 Hindhead road works progressing well. The pictures here I took in August 2009.

I am convinced most people have no idea what a huge impact the A3 Hindhead tunnel will have on the area.

And for most residents and businesses, I think it is all positive. BUT... Businesses need to leverage the huge publicity that the opening of the tunnel will present.

But how do I benefit from PUBLICITY?... I hear you ask.

I have a simple solution... read on!

This website get thousands of visitors per month. Some days there have been over 250 people per day! I therefore wish to capitalise on this early success. And to kick things off I want to help you but in return I do not want your money! I want your articles!

You see the more interesting articles and photographs I can have on this web site, the more people will visit the site. The more people that visit this site, the more advertising revenue I can gain through google!

So if you are interested in benefitting from a tone of free traffic to your business, then just send me a short description of your business and write a short 200 to 400 word article about the Hindhead area.

This article can be about anything.

How things were in the past in Hindhead.... to how things will be in the future in Hindhead. Or about your sports or hobbies in the area. Or your experiences or your personal views on the tunnel, the A3 and its progress. Or your life near any stretch of the A3 -- I know we have people watching from other countries -- so a foreign perspective of Hindhead is also good.

Just email me: lancenelson1 at gmail dot com. If you have a business, blog or favourite web site you get a free link to this. I only ask you for link back to this web site.

Is there a catch?

Uhhh, yes there is. But I think its fair. I will have to limit this offer to the first ten persons/businesses who email me. Adding the content takes time.

So go on... contact me today and get your free business promotion and share you Hindhead story here for all.

Here's to your free business promotion

Hindhead Tunnel Costs Escalate From £107m to £372m

2009-06-24T23:14:00.001-07:00

The Hindhead tunnel was expected to cost £107 million but now the Highways agency expects a total cost of £372 million.

The Times today reports the incredible budget busting costs of road building in the UK.
Just one other example is the cost of work on the A1 from Peterborough to Blyth. This has risen from £31 million to £96 million...

... Am I Going Mad?

.... But why can these costs escalate so far. Is the Times story really true - or a little "creative" reporting.

If you know -- then please comment below.

Please help support this web site... Email me lancenelson1 @ gmail dot com for ...

complete web services -- new professional web sites from Bulgaria's biggest web company, webfactory -- and search engine optimisation and internet marketing advice. Initial consultation FREE! Tel: 01428 604624 / 07786 748359

I also want ot hear from you if you wish to promote your Hindhead business here at a very low cost.

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Talk: A3 Hindhead Tunnel - Haslemere Museum

2009-05-23T05:37:00.000-07:00

Ian Wyte of Balfour Beatty traces the progress of the A3 Tunnel improvement scheme from its start to the present day and explains what remains to be completed.

Thursday 28th at 2:30 at Haslemere museum. For directions go to http://www.haslemeremuseum.co.uk/.

I hope to see you there, as I am sure this will be a really interesting talk from Ian.

£3 entry.

Tonight, pop along to Farnham Maltings to see Letz Zep: tribute Led Zep but sounds just like the real deal.

Can't wait :)

A3 Tunnel Progress: Freddie Reviews

2009-05-15T08:33:00.000-07:00

It was back to the A3 Hindhead Tunnel for more amateur filming with Freddie last week. What progress!

The cutting was seeded one side, the service building under construction and the junction taking shape.

But what was interesting how political the tunnel still is...I bumped into some retired folks taking a peep at the south portal who seem to be campaigning hard to keep the old A3 open. Quite a determined lot. Didn't feel like a deep discussion -- but they had a point with the power of the National Trust.

Here's Freddie's Outtake (South Pole!):

I have to admit to a vested interest. I want the punchbowl to be free of all traffic. I have been riding on my mountain bike, around Hindhead commons, for 15 years...and I can tell you that the A3 is a real detriment to the mountain bike experience. For me, the tunnel to fixes this problem.

But hey, I keep an open mind. The argument goes that there's more CO2 -- as cars have to detour to the junction. Then there is an impact on business... will business be harmed? Some will be harmed due to now old A3. But others will benefit hugely. In part, tha's my point with this site... to publicise the area and help business. They told me that the old A3 will have just 20% of the traffic it currently has....still not ocnvinced they should even consider keeping it. As I say, I am prepared to be convinced otherwise.

Then I heard about tunnel blockages, emergency services etc, etc. How they need the old A3 for access. This argument seems as weak as those folks who said we should not build a tunnel in the first place.

Can't say I was convinced of all the "keep old A3 open" arguments. I'll keep an open mind and check out the comments of good visitors to this web site. Please tell me, what you think? Please comment below.

Two years to go... and I get the feeling that the area will be a whole load more attractive as a place to live and work with the tunnel. An almost alpine environment under an hour from central London.

By the way, if you would like a cheap ski deal then check out my web site http://www.banskoblog.com. Do register there for a load of free info and occaisional updates. Real value accommodation for those on a budget and accommodation right by the ski lift.

If you are interested in assistance with your web site, then I undertake an initial free web site review over the phone just contact me on 07786 748359 or email me :lance @banskoblog.com

Finally if you enjoyed reading this, and want to receive more like this, then do be sure to sign up for more in the pop up form. you can also catch me on twitter. http://www.twitter.com/bansko

Tunnels Bores Meet

2009-03-02T16:19:00.000-08:00

The breakthrough of both bores of the Hindhead tunnel took place on 25th February at 14.40. Witnessed by the Minister of Transport Paul Clark.

By the end of March all remaining excavation of the bottom part of the tunnel "the bench" should be complete.

Work on the tunnel services buildings concrete frames is complete.

The earthworks for the new Hammer Lane are nearly complete and work is underway with drainage and paving.

The Hazel Grove roundabouts and link road are under construction.

High Pitfold Underpass has been constructed and work is in progress creating the approach ramps.

The A3 Hindhead project is one of the schemes in the Government's programme of major schemes.

The project will complete the dual carriageway link between London and Portsmouth and remove a major source of congestion, particularly around the A3/A287 traffic signal controlled crossroads. The new road will be 6.5km (4miles) long and includes 1.8km (1.1miles) twin bored tunnels under the Devil's Punch Bowl Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The project will deliver quicker, more reliable journeys on a safer road, and remove much of the present peak time "rat-running" traffic from unsuitable country roads around Hindhead. It includes the closure of the existing A3 around the Devil's Punch Bowl, bringing considerable environmental benefits to an internationally prized area. The centre of Hindhead will be freed from the daily gridlock that blights the area, with the result that the project will bring benefits to road users, local residents, and the highly prized environment.

Work started in January 2007, and the main tunneling works started in February 2008 and both tunnel bores broke through on 25 February 2009. The tunnel is planned to be open for traffic in mid 2011. Further details about the timetable of works can be found in the Timetable page. A PDF showing the location of the scheme is available in the Contact Information and Map page.

Location plans showing how to get to the viewing points are available on the Community Relations page.
Latest Headlines

* Live and historic journey time information to keep drivers informed - see the Journey Times page
* Latest Progress Update to 27 February 2009
* Both tunnel bores broke through on 25 February 2009- see Photographs page
* Major changes to traffic management planned for 2009

Sign Up Soon To Be Receive Updates.

A3 Set To Close 27 To 28 March

2009-01-16T00:39:00.000-08:00

A3 Disruption at Hindhead is reported to be expected as the A3 closes for a weekend in March.

The road is closing as part of the Hindhead Tunnel works and the work will involve installing two new roundabouts for the Hazel Grove junction.

It means the section between Headley Road and Crossways Road must be closed.

Traffic will be diverted via the A31 and A325, passing through Bordon and Farnham.

Highways Agency spokesman Stuart Thompson said: 'Progress on the A3 Hindhead tunnel scheme is good and we will soon need to connect the new junction for the scheme into the existing road network at Hazel Grove.

'It has been decided to close the A3 between 10pm on Friday night and 5am on Monday morning on the weekend of March 27 to 29.'

The Hindhead Tunnel is due to open in the summer of 2011.

The A3 From A Nightmare to A Dream.

2008-12-01T06:16:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the A3 Hindhead Tunnel web site. My name is Lance Nelson and have lived in Hindhead for fourteen years.

I established this web site for a bit of fun for my son. Then it started to get quite a lot of visitors. So then I thought that the tunnel offers a unique, and one off opportunity. So now the web site will focus on all aspects of the tunnel and its economic impact.

The site is here to promote the area to the benefit of all the village and town communities affected by the tunnel. In these economically challenging times, we are fortunate to have been presented with a huge one off opportunity. But there's a problem far greater than a few roadworks.

Those who have lived in the area for many years will know of the many attractions for living and/or working here. However, for many, it is known as the A3 traffic nightmare.

However, the A3 Hindhead Tunnel, due to complete in August 2011, will produce huge amounts of FREE PUBLICITY. Publicity which we should encourage if it benefits the region and those who pass through it.

Contributing to this web site will not only be useful to other web visitors - but will also help share news in the run up to the tunnel's completion and then beyond.

If you have a business or are setting up a business then you stand to benefit from a lot of free publicity by becoming involved.

Keep an eye out for some new innovative ways this site can promote your:

* business
* event
* meeting
* web site

then just drop me an email to lancenelson1@gemail and I can provide a web site review of any of the above in both written, audio and video formats. It won't cost you anything.

In the meantime, have you any comments or suggestions. Please make them on this site or , if you prefer, contact me.

Here's to Hindhead and the A3 tunnel,

Lance

What Everybody Ought To Know About The Hindhead Tunnel

2008-11-01T05:13:00.000-07:00

It my have slipped the major news but Balfour Beatty, the construction firm behind the new A3 tunnel at Hindhead, has been fined almost £30,000 after allowing potentially lethal substances to infect bodies of water surrounding the site.

The good news no long term damage has been done.

Here is the recent news item:

Balfour Beatty Engineering Limited, registered at Station Road, Redhill, failed to prevent silt from flowing into Millhanger Lake and Hammer Ponds, in Goldaming.

The company admitted two charges of causing poisonous, noxious or polluting matter to enter controlled waters, in relation to incidents between June 4 and 6 last year and on January 14 this year. Two other offences were also taken into consideration at Guildford Magistrates' Court on Friday.

Prosecutor Janet Federick said the company was carrying out construction work over the three days in June by clearing the site after heavy rainfall. Tanks were used to soak up the surface water before depositing it into the drainage system. “A report was received and officers from the Environment Agency visited the site and found the pond to be orangey brown in colour,” she told magistrates.

“The project manager stated that the pond was usually of a normal colour.” Samples taken from Millhanger Lake revealed the level of silt to be 2,000 milligrams per litre of water, far higher than the normal level.

More silt was discovered in the drainage pipes and the company was issued with formal cautions, Mrs Federick added. "No long-term damage" Balfour Beatty also installed siltbuster machines at its construction site in Nutcombe Valley stream ponds. However, further rainfall this January meant the silt ran into four of the ponds, discolouring them and threatening living carp, the court heard.

This was despite the construction of a dam-like structure to prevent the situation occurring. “During interview, Paul Hoyland [a representative of the company] fully admitted responsibility,” Mrs Frederick added.

Mark Scoggins, defending, pointed out that the company had taken the steps to inform the Environment Agency once the incidents happened.

He added they were caused by heavy rainfall and the silt being pumped into the drains without being allowed to settle in the tank. “This was not a reckless action and we could not have done more to prevent it,” Mr Scoggins said. “Since it happened the company has spent over £200,000 to prevent this happening again.”

Chairman of the bench Rodger Broad fined Balfour Beatty £14,000 on each count and ordered the company to pay costs of £9,4722.29. “These were repeated breaches but we realise there was no long-term damage caused,” he added.

A3 Gold Mine ?

2008-07-23T00:34:00.000-07:00

Well that was the heading for a recent article. Do you agree ? My view is that the A3 Hindhead Tunnel will increasingly attract media interest as completion in summer 2011 nears. Its also a fascinating part of the regions history and for many has been long awaited. I will be posting tunneling updates as they happen.

This media interest in the tunnel presents some great opportunities, and possibly some potential threats for the many businesses in the area. However, my own view, is that there is an opportunity to publicise your event or business.

With the price of fuel more and more people want to deal locally and with people close or part of their community. I have found that this rings true for my own businesses, Jet2Let Property Ltd ( www.jet2letproperty.com) an overseas property real estate agent specialising in Egypt, Portugal, Bulgaria, Cape Verde, Cyprus, Italy, Turkey, and also as a regional partner for web site designers and internet consultants, www.webfactoryguildford.co.uk/en .

The site is a perfect opportunity for networking and in particular may help charities or event organisers publicise their need for help or events requiring publicity. There may also be new businesses moving to the area or setting up who need services provided by local providers.

Do send me an email to lancenelson1@gmail.com with your name, email and tel number. In addition a free link to your website for the first 50 businesses to contact me is offered. Under no circumstances will your details be released to any other third party.

Petersfield Post / Bordon Post

2008-07-23T00:19:00.000-07:00

Thank you to the Petersfield and Bordon Post for covering this Blog. We had already been contacted by a number of businesses requesting links on the site and these will be on soon. Generally we prefer links to be reciprocal.

Freddie's fascination with the tunnel continued yesterday as we visited the south portal with the Petersfield Posts' photographer, David Garvey. The general activity was the highest we have seen with a continual circuit of trucks being loaded up with sand from the cutting, heading down the hill to deposit their load in order to raise up the ground level by the entrance. They then make their way up the hill.

All the time the tunneling continues and the cutting is rapidly getting deeper. A 20metre trench is being excavated and this is well worth a look.

Interview from South entrance

2008-07-04T03:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday (3rd July 2008) I went down to check out the progress of the A3 Hindhead Tunnel from the southern end from the official viewing platform. This platform is found just 30metres south of the Total petrol station which is 200 metres to the south of the Hindhead traffic lights.

See my interview with an Atkins engineer here:

In Summary he told me the following information:

1 metre per shift of tunnelling is made in each tunnel entrance
North bound (from the south) tunnel now 30 metres in
South bound (from the south) about 15 metres
Excavation by excavator trucks NOT a huge drill - just not economic.
Cutting before tunnel will be 20 metres deep!
A footbridge to Anne's house will be made
Opening on target for August 2011

and here's 6 year old Freddie's guide to the Hindhead tunnel, please wait for the important information at the end:

Please post your views and any news of the tunnel or correct any errors