HASLEMERE Mayor Malcolm Carter has called on Surrey County Council to press Highways England for immediate action to combat the traffic problems caused during planned and unplanned closure of the A3 Hindhead tunnel.

Using the public questions slot at Surrey’s Local Committee meeting, Mr Carter said: “Haslemere continues to suffer from a lack of emergency planning by Highways England in reference to Hindhead Tunnel. Please will Surrey consider taking the matter to the secretary of state?”

Surrey Police, county highways officers, Thursley Parish Council, Haslemere Town Council and councillor David Harmer are in discussion with Highways England over improving planned and unplanned tunnel closures, which cause terrible disruption in Thursley and Bowlhead Green.

A list of proposed sign upgrades has been discussed, along with traffic management improvements, to prevent HGVs entering the villages. The work is costly, so it is being phased in over a number of years.

Although the area around the tunnel is the most regularly impacted by the closures, other areas of Waverley are also affected. The Local Committee agreed it could play a role in monitoring Highways England’s activities and holding them to account. It was acknowledged it was a long-standing problem and wasn’t just the result of emergency closures, but planned closures as well.

Members agreed that although Haslemere and Thursley were directly affected, there was also a knock-on effect on other roads around the borough as drivers seek alternative routes, including the A325 through Wrecclesham.

A letter will be sent to Highways England signed by the council chairman and cabinet member for highways. Highways England will be invited to speak at the next meeting.

South West Surrey Tory MP?Jeremy Hunt Transport Secretary Chris Grayling will be sent a copy of the letter.