§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when the public were last consulted about proposals to remedy blockages on the A3 near Hindhead; when he plans next to consult the public on this issue; if he will estimate the cost of the current study of the A3 near Hindhead; and if he has consulted the National Trust about the A3 near Hindhead; [114368]
(2) when the public will next be involved in the problem of the proposals to remedy blockages on A3 near Hindhead problem. [114425]
§ Mr. HillThe public were consulted on options for a road solution at Hindhead, including the proposed tunnel scheme, in 1992. As part of the study now under way the public are being involved on an on-going basis through a comprehensive programme of consultation and communication. This includes setting up local focus groups, a wider reference group, telephone interviews with longer distance travellers and a formal public consultation exercise. The commission for the study was awarded on the basis of a tender price of £188,066. Mr. Peter Griffiths, Director of the National Trust for the South Region, is a member of the study's steering group.