LOCAL NEWS PAGE 2 & STILL KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOW!Mostly factual, possibly even trivial but at the end of it all we guaranteeyou will know more than you did 10 minuets ago! |
The ProjectThe A3 Hindhead project is one of the schemes in the Government's programme of major schemes. The project will complete the dual carriageway link between London and Portsmouth and remove a major source of congestion, particularly around the A3/A287 traffic signal controlled crossroads. The new road will be 6.5km (4miles) long and includes 1.8km (1.1miles) twin bored tunnels under the Devil's Punch Bowl Site of Special Scientific Interest. The project will deliver quicker, more reliable journeys on a safer road, and remove much of the present peak time "rat-running" traffic from unsuitable country roads around Hindhead. It includes the closure of the existing A3 around the Devil's Punch Bowl, bringing considerable environmental benefits to an internationally prized area. The centre of Hindhead will be freed from the daily gridlock that blights the area, with the result that the project will bring benefits to road users, local residents, and the highly prized environment. Work started in January 2007, and the main tunnelling works started in February 2008 and both tunnel bores broke through on 26 February 2009. The tunnel is planned to be open for traffic in mid 2011. Further details about the timetable of works can be found in the Timetable page. A PDF showing the location of the scheme is available in the Contact Information and Map page. Location plans showing how to get to the viewing points are available on the Community Relations page.
Latest Headlines· Live and historic journey time information to keep drivers informed - see the Journey Times page · Latest Progress Update · Both tunnel bores broke through on 26 February 2009- see Photographs page · Major changes to traffic management planned for 2009 · A3 to be closed between 10.00pm Friday 27 March to 5am Monday 30 March more details in Newsletter No 12. Please browse through the links above for more information on this project. 2010 Install drainage for new A3, Lay pavement for new A3, Carry out mechanical & electrical installation works along new A3, Carry out landscaping & planting, Install mechanical & electrical systems in the tunnel, Open new dual carriageway from the Spaniard to Hazel Grove junction. 2011 Test tunnel mechanical & electrical systems, Open new A3, Carry out alterations to existing A3, Start landscaping & planting, 2012 Complete landscaping and planting. |
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A3 Hindhead Tunnel bang on target for early opening! |
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On 25th February at 14.40 the (ex) Minister of Transport Paul Clark witnessed the breakthrough of both bores of the tunnel. By the end of March all remaining excavation of the bottom part of the tunnel "the bench" should be complete. Work on the tunnel services buildings concrete frames is complete. The earthworks for the new Hammer Lane are nearly complete and work is underway with drainage and paving. The Hazel Grove roundabouts and link road are under construction. High Pitfold Underpass has been constructed and work is in progress creating the approach ramps. Please view the Timetable page for details of the key activities for the contract. |
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Ex Minister of Transport Paul Clark. |
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Hindhead A3 Tunnel still on target, so what happened to all the trees they cut down? We have made sure that the trees and bushes cleared from the construction site have not gone to waste. Where suitable the felled trees have been used for the manufacture of timber products including furniture, oak barns, fencing, chipboard and hardboard. Six large Douglas Firs (estimated at 128 feet long) were sent to Germany to be made into ship masts. Some of the timber has been re-used in the scheme for fencing and for the viewing platforms above the south and north portals. The remaining logs and brash (branches, leaves etc) have been chipped on-site and transported to Slough power station as bio-fuel. We have also sent wood chip to a paper manufacturer. After cutting the trees down we are left with the stumps, these are made use of by mulching and incorporating into the topsoil. The remaining logs and brash (branches, leaves etc) have been chipped on-site and transported to Slough power station as bio-fuel. We have also sent wood chip to a paper manufacturer. Have a look at the Highways Agency Website http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/documents/A3_Hindhead_Newsletter_11.pdf |
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So how do they get the tunnels in the right place and to meet in the middle? Around 15 years ago a network of survey stations were established in the area for the planned A3 improvements and these were linked to the Ordnance Survey grid. To check these existing stations, and establish new ones necessary for the road works, they will be using the Global Positioning System (GPS). This uses the same satellites as a car navigation system, but that is where the similarity ends. The GPS receivers are set on our survey stations for at least one hour to record their position. The results are processed later to give at least centimetre accuracy as opposed to the 5 to 10 metres obtained from car systems. Four permanent survey “monuments” have been established in this way at each end of the tunnel. From these positions we will then establish more survey stations around the tunnel entrance and eventually inside the tunnel. The most advanced (the one nearest the tunnel face) station are used to control the tunnel excavation. |
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The tunnel guidance system consists of a robotic theodolite which will be orientated by sighting back down the tunnel, taking readings on the previous survey stations and then tracking targets on the tunnel excavator. This tells the excavator operator his position in real time and so where to dig. In this way they control the tunnel alignment. |
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www.rogate-rake.org is run for the village communities of Hillbrow ~ Rake ~ Rogate ~ Terwick |
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Sometimes only a picture can get our attention! |
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The Honda rider was travelling at approximately 85 mph.
The VW driver was talking on a mobile phone when she pulled out from a side street, apparently not seeing the motorcycle.
The riders reaction time was simply not sufficient enough to avoid this accident. |
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The car had two passengers |
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All three involved (two in the car & the bike rider) were killed instantly. |
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STOP Talking & or Texting on Mobile phones whilst trying to drive.
This graphic demonstration was placed at It is said that “A picture is worth a thousand words” Lets hope in this case this series of horrifying pictures reproduced here can help save a 1,000 lives!
We make no apologies for these graphic pictures because WE HAVE ALL DONE IT! |
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The Volkswagen actually flipped over from the force of impact |