A3 Hindhead Tunnel Blog

Hi Folks

2011-11-14T00:11:00.004Z

Hey strangers!

Long time no blog!

sorry I have not been around much recently been very busy!

As most of you will know it has changed much at Hindhead over the last month or so. I will be going to take some photo's next weekend and upload them onto here.

I am also going to be running a silent auction for a very exciting item I have in my possession. When I went through the tunnel in Febraury 2009 I was given one of the original teeth they used on the diggers when the started diggin the tunnel. The way it will work is that I will set a time limit probably a few weeks. If you are interested then email me at dave.work@hotmail.co.uk with an offer. I will then reply directly to you.

Good luck everybody!

And now the end is near.......

2011-08-21T20:57:00.005+01:00

Hi everyone,

Sorry not been around for a bit, been a bit busy!

Went up to a very quiet Hindhead at rush hour this eveing. As you can see the traffic lights have now been turned off for ever (sob sob not really!) with work due to start on converting them to 2 mini roundabouts in the next week or so.

Also I took a couple of photo's of the work being carried out at the end of Headley Road. This is progressing nicely and should only last for another couple of weeks.

I also drove down to the Gibbet to see what is happening to the old road. It is totally different now, as you can see, and looks nothing like it used to!

Keep on driving..............

Dark side of the moon

2011-08-18T18:14:00.003+01:00

Evening one and all,

Sorry have been uploaded anything for a while, have had a few laptop issues, namely the wife and a can of coke! but lets say no more about that before I explode!

I was sent these from David at 272heroes.com Thanks David they are brilliant!

Must say a big hello to Red Robbo. Thanks for your email mate and the concern! im still alive and kicking!!!

I hope to have some more photos up soon of the work on the old A3, i'm planning on walking up there sunday afternoon.

Keep on driving......................

Drinkies!

2011-08-06T21:17:00.004+01:00

Right you lot

hi everyone

i'm sorry but im goign to have to cancel today - i've woken up with a streaming cold and a massive migraine.

Hopefully we can do it next weekend!

thanks to my wife for putting this on here!

Keep on driving............

Double Tunnel Vision!!

2011-08-06T20:00:00.004+01:00

Hey folks,

Here is a video of the tunnel going through Rouen in France

Anyone notice the similarity between this tunnel and our tunnel????

Keep on driving...........

I'm Back!

2011-08-06T12:46:00.003+01:00

Hey everyone

I'm back home in the UK YAY!

So far have been home for 13 hours and have been through the tunnel 3 times, the last i had a personal escort from the Surrey Chapter of the Hells Angels - thanks guys!

With regards to the meeting tomorrow I will post something on here later tonight once I had squared it with the misses!

Tunnel is brillian so much quicker!

keep on driving...............

Not Long Now

2011-08-01T09:15:00.003+01:00

Bonjour all my lovely readers!

OK so here is a better picture of where I am currently sitting writing this post!

The tent is where myself, the wife and kids are staying and the caravan is the mother in law's, which is god as we can lock from the outside and shut her in! yay!

Only 4 days until I make the 682 mile journey home and finally get to go through the tunnel, can't flipping wait!

I will be going through a similar tunnel at Rouen on the way home so will try and get some pics of that one.

I was thinking of maybe going for a beer on Sunday at the punchbowl. Meet at the Miss James bridge and then walk up for a quick drink. If anyone wants to join me then leave a comment on this post so I know if anyone is going to turn up!

Until Thursday folks,

keep on driving..............

Holiday Blues :(

2011-07-28T10:23:00.002+01:00

Morning everyone

As I write this I am sat in sunny France, eating a pain au chocolate and thinking I should driving through the tunnel!!

I will try and upload some photos when i get sent them but I have very limited internet connection!

Here is a photo of where I am just to make you all jealous!!!

Keep on diggin...............

BBC South Today and Meridian TV

2011-07-21T20:19:00.004+01:00

Howdy people

Just wanted to let you know that despite the fact i'm not around for the opening Meridian TV and BBC South Today came out to do some filming with me over the last couple days, to hopefully include in their news bulletins on tuesday and wednesday next week.

The top picture is of me and Andrew from BBC South Today and the second photo is me and Andrew from Meridian TV.

Can I say a massive thank you to both of you for taking to time to come and film this stuff. I hope you captured my best side!!!!

Keep on diggin...........

The Grand Opening

2011-07-21T18:26:00.002+01:00

Evening everyone,

So here we are literally moments away from the grand opening
I will be sat by the pool crying!

I need someone on Miss James bridge and someone Hazel grove bridge taking plenty of photo's. Who's up for the challenge!

The person that sends me the best photo on the day will win a chocolate bar - wow I here you say!

So come on folks lets make this one of the best days Hindhead has ever seen!

keep on diggin.........

It's Official!!

2011-07-19T16:47:00.002+01:00

Well good afternoon everyone

Well I finally got the official confirmation from the Highways Agency today that the southbound tunnel is going to open next wednesday 27th and the northbound tunnel will open a few days later.

Now i have a problem. I am on holiday from this sunday so am not going to be about for the opening, yes I am totally gutted!!, so I am going to need as many of you a possible out and about taking lots of photo's for me please.

I will upload more details of the HA press release later this evening.

Keep on diggin.................

Help urgently needed!

2011-07-19T16:25:00.001+01:00

Folks,

I'm going to be needed your help more than ever soon.

More details to follow.........

Back to the good old days

2011-07-14T20:05:00.007+01:00

Well hello everybody - long time no speak!

I got sent a link to the Grayshott Village Archive on which i found these fantastic photos

The 1st picture is of the crossroads from around circa 1895 going through to around 1930's

For anyone that wants to read the article about the The Portsmouth Road please click on http://www.grayshott-archive.org.uk/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=90 for more info.

I must say a massive thank you to Neil and Richard and the Grayshott Village Archive for allowing me to use these

Keep on diggin.............

Bike Charity

2011-07-12T20:39:00.002+01:00

Evening everyone

Just wanna say a massive thanks you the guys at www.rezurgence.com for fixing my daughters bike tonight.

They are a christain based bike charity who go around schools and youth clubs in Hampshire giving free saftey checks and making small adjustments.

They also do UV sticker applications as well

For more information either click this link, www.rezurgence.com/workbench or click on the link in the links tab on the right.

And before you all comment that this is nothing to do with the tunnel it is a tedious sort of way. Many of you that go and have a look at the tunnel and the works ride your bikes, specially now the weather is getting nicer. What a better time to make sure your all safe and sound.

Keep on diggin.........

Hits Milestone

2011-07-10T21:41:00.003+01:00

Evening one and all

I just want to say thank you to all of you lovely lovely people that read my blog.

Today we hit 100,00 hits!!!!!!

Come on guys lets get that to 150,000!!!!

Thank you all so much.

Keep on diggin.........................

Come fly with me come fly come fly away

2011-07-06T18:09:00.002+01:00

Howdy one and all

I got sent this today from a Haslemere resident who was flying back to Heathrow from toulouse earlier today. He realised they were flying up the A3 and grab his phoen and took this photo. You can clearly see both ends of the tunnel and how it has fitted into the landscape.

Paul thank you so much for not only thinking of taking the photo but also for taking the time to send it in - very very much appreciated!

This has to be my favourite photo so far!

keep on diggin.............

Commentators Dream

2011-07-06T17:05:00.001+01:00

Hey folks,

Great to see so many of you sending in comments, my personal favourite the chap who wants the tunnel open by 3:30am tomorrow morning as he is going to France! classic!

Keep them coming in guys, and as soon as I know anything about opening dates/days/hours/minutes etc etc i will let you all know.

I'm planning on going up the tunnel tonight about 9pm to have a look see what is (not) happening anyone wanna join me?

Keep on diggin............

We'll get by with a little from our freinds

2011-06-28T16:45:00.002+01:00

Afternoon all you lovely people

Hope the weather is not getting too many people down!

As we all know the big grand opening is fast approaching. I am wanting to cover all angles for the blog if possible. Obviously I cannot be in several places at once so I'm trowing a big "PLEASE HELP ME!" please out there.

I am hoping to have 1 person taking photos from near Boundary Road at the north end, 1 person to take photo's from the northern viewing platform, 1 person taking photo's from the Hazel Grove Bridge. I have someone covering the Southern viewing platform/Miss James Bridge area.

If any of you can help then please email me on dave.work@hotmail.co.uk.

I've not had the exact dates confirmed to me yet so anyone of you that offer to help I will try and give you as much warning as possible.

Thank guys your all amazing!!!!!!!

Keep on diggin...............

Well Done's!!!!!!

2011-06-21T08:54:00.002+01:00

Hey everyone

So the big day is drawing ever closing and we are now looking forward to the grand opening!!!

So I would just like to take this opportunity to say a few well done's to everyone.

Firstly thank you and well done to all my loyal followers and readers. Without you guys none of this would have been worth it. Thank you to everyone that has bothered and taken the time to send in photo's and comments. You guys have made this blog a success and you are all wonderful people!

Secondly well done to the the Highways Agency for implementing such an massive project. It is been really well thought through and for keeping everyone so updated on what was going on.

Thirdly well done to everyone to the constructors. You have built a truly remarkable feat of engineering and to such a high standard. To every person that was involved from the tunnelers, the ground workers, painters, electricians, everyone that was involved you all deserve a massive well done.

And finally to everyone else that was involved well done. After finding out Hindhead would be subject to 4 years of major roadworks and delays it really has not been as bad as we all thought it would be.

On behalf of every single person that will go through Hindhead whiteout and problems/delays thank you.

Keep on diggin............

Danger Danger Tunnel Voltage

2011-06-14T21:32:00.003+01:00

Howdy everyone

They had the full scale emergency crash test today and by the looks of it all went well. Click on the link below to have a look at the report from my good freinds at The News.

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/local/east-hampshire/exercise_puts_emergency_response_to_the_test_at_a3_hindhead_tunnel_1_2771955

Less than a month to go before it opens folks

Are we all getting excited??????

Keep on diggin..........

Speed Limits

2011-05-25T21:11:00.002+01:00

Howdy everyone

Right for all of you that have been commenting and emailing me the speed limit in the tunnels will be national. In case of emergencies and the like then speed limit will be reduced down to 40 with a contraflow system in place.

The average speed cameras are there for our safety and to keep traffic moving in a steady flow through.

I find it amazing that people are going to bouycot the tunnel if it was a 40 limit.

Come on guys it's going to make our life better.

Keep on diggin...............

You are being watched!

2011-05-22T21:18:00.005+01:00

Well hello there everyone

Here a few photos from Richard, who was the lucky chap to get the spare ticket I posted about.

They are mainly of the tunnel monitoring systems. The 1st photo looking down from Hazle Grove is a stunning photo.

Well done and many thanks to Richard for sending these in.

Keep on diggin.........

Red Robbo's last ever collection

2011-05-19T22:01:00.005+01:00

Hi everyone!!!

So here we are, as we feel we are coming to the end of the line with the tunnel and the new road due to open soon it's time to say goodbye to someone that has supported this blog from day 1. He has been out and about all in all weathers, even braving thunderstorms to take photo's and send them in.

So we must say a massive massive thank to Red Robbo for your support, loyalty and great comments and praise for this blog, something I have done to bring the tunnel slightly closer to all of you.

Robbo I really appreciate everything you have done for me and this blog and behalf of myself and every single person who reads this blog - thank you, you have been a legend!

Keep on diggin............

p.s. Thats Robbo in the top picture! I know he'll hate having his photo up there but he deserves his moment of glory!

BBC Radio 2

2011-05-16T10:26:00.002+01:00

Hi Folks,

I was on the Jeremey Vine show on Radio 2 yesterday talking about the tunnel.

The interview in an hour and a half into the programme

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b01130tk

keep on diggin.............

Tunnel Vision 2011 Part 3

2011-05-14T20:49:00.002+01:00

Hi fellow walkers and tunnel lovers

Well what can I say other than WOW, WOW and WOW again. What a fantastic day.

For those lucky few of you that managed to get into the tunnel you witnessed not only a brilliant walk but a massive, I say again, massive feat of engineering brilliance. The tunnel is just incredible. The way that it fits into the landscape is just remarkable!

To all of you that did not/were not able to get tickets for today you have my sympathies. I honestly wish I could have got a ticket for each and very one of you and I hope that by posting these photo's on here helps bring some of the atmosphere and what it was like inside the tunnel today to you all.

I must say a few thank you's and well done's so here goes:

1) Amalie from BBC Surrey radio - an absolute pleasure to meet you today. We had a such a good laugh and any time you need an interview or anything at all just call me/email me I will be more than happy to help out.

2) James Wright from Highways Agency Press Office - Thank you James for making me feel very welcome and being a great host. I will be in touch with you shortly.

3) All the workers at Balfour Beatty - you have done an exceptional job and and made it just perfect. Well done and it was well worth waiting for!

4) All the TV crews at the BBC and ITV that have supported this blog over the last 4 years - Thank you

5) All the guys from the local papers I met today - thank you

6) Finally, and most importantly my wife Fleur -she has had to put up with me banging on about the tunnel for the last 4 years and she is only a few months away from me shutting up!!!!