An urgent funding decision is needed from new transport minister Douglas Alexander on long awaited improvements to the A3 at Hindhead, says the South East England Regional Transport Board. After years of delay we need Government to respond quickly on this last obstacle to progress, said the Board while visiting the congested area today (Friday 2 June).

The Board is urging Government to approve the region's proposal for transport priorities sent in January this year. Hindhead is the region's top priority. The project aims to remove the bottleneck at the A3 with costs estimated at £320 million and work is due to start as early as 2008/09.

Cllr Nick Skellett, Chairman of the Regional Transport Board said:

"The region is committed to relieving this massive bottleneck, which causes environmental and economic problems. We have been waiting too long and need a green-light from Government now or it will jeopardise the scheme's start date. It is our first priority to get this on the road. This scheme is not only important for the South East but also for links to the Midlands and mainland Europe."

Removing the bottleneck at the A3 will reduce congestion in Surrey and improve access to South Hampshire ports. The scheme includes a new dual carriageway and a tunnel that will take the A3 under National Trust owned beauty spot the Devil's Punch Bowl, which will have major environmental benefits by reducing noise and enhancing the area's wildlife habitats.

National Trust South East Director Sue Saville said:

"The Hindhead Commons represent an exceptionally high quality environment and a rare surviving example of this once extensive heathland. We believe that this scheme is a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity to restore the landscape, improve access for the public's enjoyment and find a solution to the transport problems that have blighted the Hindhead area for decades."

Contacts

Lesley van Dijk, Assembly PR Executive - 01483 555223

Heather Bolton, Assembly Communications Director - 01483 555220

Notes to editors:

1. Improvements to the A3 at Hindhead - The new dual carriageway would start at Hammer Lane on the Surrey Hampshire border north to Boundless Road near Thursley. The tunnel would take the A3 past Hindhead and under the Devil’s Punch Bowl.
2. The South East England Regional Transport Board operates as a partnership board to advise Government on the region’s transport priorities.
3. The National Trust owns and manages the Hindhead Common.
4. Cllr Nick Skellett – South East England Regional Assembly (Assembly) and Chairman of the Board (Surrey County Council),
   Cllr Jill Baston – Assembly (Southampton City Council),
   Cllr John Howarth – Assembly (Reading),
   Cllr Mary Ballin – Assembly (Bracknell Forest Borough Council),
   Tim Lockwood – Assembly (Economic Partners),
   Pam Palmer – Assembly (Social and Environmental Partners),
   John Peel (SEEDA),
   Andy Roberts (Government Office for the South East),
   Nigel Rose (South East Forum for Sustainability),
   Gwyn Drake (Highways Agency),
   Clive King (Confederation of Passenger Transport) and
   Network Rail (to be confirmed).
5. The South East England Regional Assembly is the "voluntary regional chamber" for the South East. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the South East region, which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, and Surrey.
6. The Regional Assembly is made up of 112 members including elected councillors nominated by the region's local authorities and 37 representatives from other sectors of the community (including business, trades unions, education, housing, health, sports, culture, tourism, faith groups, environmental, community and voluntary organisations) as well as the New Forest National Park Authority.
7. The Assembly has three areas of core business:
• It is the representative voice of the South East, engaging and representing its member organisations and, through them, the wider public.
• The Assembly has a specific role under the Regional Development Agencies' Act 1998 to ensure the accountability of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to the region.
• The Assembly has been the Regional Planning Body for the South East since April 2001. It has responsibility for proposing strategic planning and transport policies to Government.

Last updated: 21 August 2007