Highways Agency

Draft orders publication

Draft Orders Publication

Welcome to Issue 6 of the Hindhead News, which reports on reactions to the public exhibitions held in July and subsequent changes to the scheme. It also explains the next crucial stage in the development of the project. This is the publication of Draft Orders and an Environmental Statement which, if approved, will give the Highways Agency the legal powers to proceed with construction.

Exhibitions well received

Nearly 1,600 people attended exhibitions held in Grayshott and Beacon Hill last July. The events were held to give local residents an opportunity to comment on the scheme as it had evolved to date, so that changes could be made as a result, before the Draft Orders were finalised. Members of the A3 Team were on hand to provide further information and to discuss various issues.

Forms were available for the recording of individual comments, and requesting further information on the scheme in general. There were also other forms asking for views on options for appropriate traffic calming measures in Tower Road, Woolmer Hill Road and Crossways Road and for the post-scheme regeneration of the London Road area of Hindhead.

Overall, 331 forms were returned. Those on traffic calming (87) have been sent to Hampshire and Surrey County Councils, and on the future of Hindhead (93) to Waverley Borough Council.

Overall, a high proportion of visitors expressed general support for the scheme both in conversation and on the forms. Only three forms were received saying the scheme was unnecessary or too expensive.

As might be expected, one major issue was the closure of the old A3; of 121 responses on the subject, 76 supported closure and 45 opposed it.

Other comments received included concerns about the following:

• access to Hindhead Common for cyclists, horseriders and pedestrians and the potential for conflict with four wheel drive vehicles which currently use the BOATs (Byways Open to All Traffic) across the Common (see centrespread);
• the road layout at the south end of the scheme, near The Spaniard site and Hammer Lane (see centrespread);
• the difficulty in turning right out of Headley Road into Portsmouth Road, which would encourage increased use of Crossways Road instead (see centrespread);
• potential rat-running through Crossways Road, Woolmer Hill Road and Tower Road (discussions are being held with the county councils about traffic calming to deter this);
• increased traffic along Boundless Road and Park Lane (there would be an increase, but flows would still be small);
• noise and air quality effects of the scheme (see comments in the Non-Technical Summary);
• effect of construction activities on traffic and local residents (see comments in the NonTechnical Summary);
• need for a cycle route from Grayshott to Woolmer Hill School (this is being discussed with Surrey County Council);
• loss of trade for local businesses, particularly in London Road (see comments in the Non-Technical Summary).

The Spaniard and Hammer Lane Junctions

Following the July exhibitions, representations were made by local residents and businesses about the extra journey distances that would result from the deletion of the northbound slip road to Hammer Lane. Other residents expressed concern about the volume of fast traffic that would be going along the Eastern Service Road from Hammer Lane to The Spaniard Junction.

A review of the layout was therefore carried out and it was agreed to amend the scheme such that the slip road was re-introduced, with a slightly different and safer layout than was previously proposed; that the Eastern Service Road should be closed off, just north of the Little Chef, and that Knockhundred Lane should be left open as a one-way road towards the A3.

It was fouund that this would not encouragge rat running through Woolmer Hill, so long as Woolmer Hill Road was adequately traffic calmed. It has been agreed with Surrey County Council that traffic calming would be installed.

Scheme changes since the July Exhibitions

As a result of comments received at the exhibitions in July, a number of changes have been made to the scheme. These are illustrated above.

Also shown is the layout agreed for the treatment of routes across Hindhead Common.

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The Draft Orders, together with an Environmental Statement, are to be published shortly. The Environmental Statement is summarised in a Non Technical Summary, which will be distributed separately, and is also available from the Highways Agency (see 'How to contact us below)

Details of where these documents can be inspected or purchased is given in the Non Technical Summary.

Draft Orders and Compulsory Purchase Orders

The Draft Orders for the Scheme, published by the Secretary of State for Transport, seek legal authority to construct the new trunk road and to carry out alterations to affected existing roads, public rights of way and accesses.

Draft Compulsory Purchase Orders for the land will be published in about a together with draft Notices of Intention to issue Exchange Land Certificates. These are for replacement land to be provided for Common Land and/or Open Access Land to be taken from Bramshott Common, Hindhead Common.

Your views

If you wish to support, comment on or object to the Draft Orders, put forward alternative proposals, or comment on the Environmental Statement, you should write to the A3 Hindhead Team, Highways Agency, Federated House, London Road, Dorking, Surrey RH4 1SZ not later than 9 January 2004.

Environmental Statement

The publication of the Environmental Statement is a legal requirement, and is the result of detailed research undertaken locally by a range of independent consultants. It thoroughly assesses all the benefits and adverse impacts of the scheme locally, both during construction and on completion.

The topics covered in detail include planning, land time, use, noise, air quality, water, ecology, archaeology, landscape constraints, recreation and business impacts.

What happens next

Depending on the nature and number of objections received, a Public Inquiry may be held before an independent Inspector.

If an Inquiry is to be held, all those who have responded will be notified individually at least six weeks beforehand and notices will appear in the local press.

All comments received will be made available to the Inspector, who may decide to make them public. Publicity will be given to any alternative proposals received.

Following any Public Inquiry, the Secretary of State will consider the recommendations made by the Inspector in his report before deciding whether or not to proceed with the scheme.

How to contact us

If you need more information about the scheme, or have queries, please email us at: A3hindhead@highways.gsi.gov.uk

For general inquiries please call: 01306 878 475

Highways Agency information line: 08457 50 40 30

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