§ Virginia BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what representations he has received about the A3 at Hindhead; and if he will make a statement; [36905]
823W(2) when he estimates that construction on the A3 at Hindhead (a) will commence and (b) will be completed. [36904]
§ Mr. SpellarWe continue to receive a number of representations about the A3 Hindhead scheme covering a wide range of topics. The two most important current issues are the proposal to close the existing A3 across Hindhead Common once the new tunnel is completed and the possibility of additional traffic using local roads in and around Grayshott to access the new A3 route.
The Highways Agency has been carrying out further work on both these issues which is nearing completion. The results will be presented to the Project Advisory and Wider Reference Group meetings later this month. Details will also be contained in a newsletter to be issued shortly.
Subject to the satisfactory completion of the necessary statutory procedures, we aim to start construction on the scheme in 2005–06. Work will take three to four years.