Hindhead Tunnel - Opening Date - 27th July 2011
Discussion
I'm sure many have been waiting for this news on the UK's longest (loudest ?) tunnel.......
THE Hindhead tunnel is set to open next Wednesday to southbound traffic, the Highways Agency has confirmed.
Commuters have been eagerly awaiting the new tunnel, which aims to cut down on journey times between Portsmouth and Guildford by up to 40 minutes.
Traffic previously would get snarled up while travelling through Hindhead village, which the tunnel and new dual carriageway bypasses.
And while the tunnel roadworks have been ongoing, drivers have faced lengthy delays as traffic is diverted around the site.
It is not yet known at what time the tunnel will be opened by Secretary of State for Transport Philip Hammond, as part of a ceremony.
Southbound traffic will be the first to use the tunnel, part of a £371m road scheme, and the first cars will be escorted through it by a rolling roadblock of police cars.
Northbound traffic will not be able to use it straight away, due to final adjustments to the road layout being made, but will be introduced to the new road a few days later.
Work on the scheme began four-and-a-half years ago, in January 2007.
It is being opened within budget and ahead of schedule
THE Hindhead tunnel is set to open next Wednesday to southbound traffic, the Highways Agency has confirmed.
Commuters have been eagerly awaiting the new tunnel, which aims to cut down on journey times between Portsmouth and Guildford by up to 40 minutes.
Traffic previously would get snarled up while travelling through Hindhead village, which the tunnel and new dual carriageway bypasses.
And while the tunnel roadworks have been ongoing, drivers have faced lengthy delays as traffic is diverted around the site.
It is not yet known at what time the tunnel will be opened by Secretary of State for Transport Philip Hammond, as part of a ceremony.
Southbound traffic will be the first to use the tunnel, part of a £371m road scheme, and the first cars will be escorted through it by a rolling roadblock of police cars.
Northbound traffic will not be able to use it straight away, due to final adjustments to the road layout being made, but will be introduced to the new road a few days later.
Work on the scheme began four-and-a-half years ago, in January 2007.
It is being opened within budget and ahead of schedule
Found this on a blog about the tunnel.....
"the speed limit in the tunnels will be national. In case of emergencies and the like then speed limit will be reduced down to 40 with a contraflow system in place".... Guess we'll have to see if that's true.
How amazing will something like a F355 sound in there
"the speed limit in the tunnels will be national. In case of emergencies and the like then speed limit will be reduced down to 40 with a contraflow system in place".... Guess we'll have to see if that's true.
How amazing will something like a F355 sound in there
edo said:
As someone who lives in Haslemere (near Hindhead), this will make my life a hell of a lot easier!
I lived in haslemere until I went to uni in Leeds, and stayed there. Still go down all the time to visit parents and brother who still lives there. I was down last week and was hoping the tunnel was going to be open, but was gutted when it wasn't! Next time then!!Not sure if it will make things easier for me though as I head down the A3 to hindhead, then turn left towards Haslemere as my parents live near Camelsdale (if you know it)- obviously not possible with the tunnel so I guess I'll have to turn off early at milford/brook which will add 5/10 mins onto the journey. Not a lot I suppose as it's a 4 hour trip anyway!!
balders118 said:
edo said:
As someone who lives in Haslemere (near Hindhead), this will make my life a hell of a lot easier!
I lived in haslemere until I went to uni in Leeds, and stayed there. Still go down all the time to visit parents and brother who still lives there. I was down last week and was hoping the tunnel was going to be open, but was gutted when it wasn't! Next time then!!Not sure if it will make things easier for me though as I head down the A3 to hindhead, then turn left towards Haslemere as my parents live near Camelsdale (if you know it)- obviously not possible with the tunnel so I guess I'll have to turn off early at milford/brook which will add 5/10 mins onto the journey. Not a lot I suppose as it's a 4 hour trip anyway!!
You're bam smack in the middle between where I live and where Ed lives. I'm the other side of the tracks and come past Hindhead and off at Hammer Lane and down Woolmer Hill Road. You could carry on down Hammer Lane and out into Hammer and round. I'll be coming backnfrom Bordon on the A3 on Wednesday, passed home and back just for a tunnel run!!balders118 said:
I lived in haslemere until I went to uni in Leeds, and stayed there. Still go down all the time to visit parents and brother who still lives there. I was down last week and was hoping the tunnel was going to be open, but was gutted when it wasn't! Next time then!!
Not sure if it will make things easier for me though as I head down the A3 to hindhead, then turn left towards Haslemere as my parents live near Camelsdale (if you know it)- obviously not possible with the tunnel so I guess I'll have to turn off early at milford/brook which will add 5/10 mins onto the journey. Not a lot I suppose as it's a 4 hour trip anyway!!
Try coming off at the sharp 90 degree exit just before the current roadworks - much quicker.Not sure if it will make things easier for me though as I head down the A3 to hindhead, then turn left towards Haslemere as my parents live near Camelsdale (if you know it)- obviously not possible with the tunnel so I guess I'll have to turn off early at milford/brook which will add 5/10 mins onto the journey. Not a lot I suppose as it's a 4 hour trip anyway!!
balders118 said:
Waugh-terfall said:
AHEM! Through the tunnel, Hammer Lane!!!
Apologies for missing your post. Yeah, that's probably the best route but I thought the tunnel went past hammer lane? I haven't been south side very often, so I don't really know the layout tbh.I'm bored home alone waiting for the drive to be shaded to wash the car so I'm heading up to the Southern Portal Viewpoint in a sec, I'll take the camera with me.
Waugh-terfall said:
balders118 said:
edo said:
As someone who lives in Haslemere (near Hindhead), this will make my life a hell of a lot easier!
I lived in haslemere until I went to uni in Leeds, and stayed there. Still go down all the time to visit parents and brother who still lives there. I was down last week and was hoping the tunnel was going to be open, but was gutted when it wasn't! Next time then!!Not sure if it will make things easier for me though as I head down the A3 to hindhead, then turn left towards Haslemere as my parents live near Camelsdale (if you know it)- obviously not possible with the tunnel so I guess I'll have to turn off early at milford/brook which will add 5/10 mins onto the journey. Not a lot I suppose as it's a 4 hour trip anyway!!
You're bam smack in the middle between where I live and where Ed lives. I'm the other side of the tracks and come past Hindhead and off at Hammer Lane and down Woolmer Hill Road. You could carry on down Hammer Lane and out into Hammer and round. I'll be coming backnfrom Bordon on the A3 on Wednesday, passed home and back just for a tunnel run!!I'll be nailing it through in this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HC2qrnOl4I
Aar0sc said:
Haha I'm just up from Hammer Lane!
I'll be nailing it through in this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HC2qrnOl4I
Oh Crikey, I followed you through town the other day!I'll be nailing it through in this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HC2qrnOl4I
Waugh-terfall said:
Aar0sc said:
Haha I'm just up from Hammer Lane!
I'll be nailing it through in this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HC2qrnOl4I
Oh Crikey, I followed you through town the other day!I'll be nailing it through in this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HC2qrnOl4I
This.
DSC03074f by Waugh-terfall, on Flickr
ETA: Here you go Chris
DSC03074f by Waugh-terfall, on Flickr
ETA: Here you go Chris
Edited by Waugh-terfall on Saturday 23 July 15:25
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