Home / Environment / Hindhead Tunnel: 15 Years of Traffic Relief
Hindhead Tunnel: 15 Years of Traffic Relief
27 Jul
Summary
- The Hindhead Tunnel marked 15 years since its opening.
- It ended decades of severe traffic congestion on the A3.
- The project significantly benefited local businesses and wildlife.
Fifteen years ago, the Hindhead Tunnel opened, resolving a long-standing traffic bottleneck on the A3. Previously, this crucial road linking London and Portsmouth narrowed to a single lane in Hindhead, causing routine delays of up to thirty minutes. The tunnel's construction also bypassed the Devil's Punch Bowl, a sensitive natural heathland and Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Tunnel operator Dominic Holyoak remarked on the "awful lot of queuing" before the tunnel's completion. He highlighted its positive impact on local businesses by improving accessibility. Furthermore, avoiding the Devil's Punch Bowl has "exponentially helped the wildlife," with the old road section being restored to nature and over 200,000 trees planted, ensuring a net environmental gain. The 1.25-mile tunnel, costing £371 million, opened in 2011.
