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...............
Posts
110 comments:
http://www.petersfieldpost.co.uk/news/bordon/driving_heaven_is_just_50_days_away_on_a3_1_2687976
States due to open July 6th if this helps?
It may be delayed.
Jules
It won't open on the 7th of July because that is the anniversary of the Tube bombings. It is supposed to open on the 6th June but I have received an email letting me knopw that the opening party has been put back (I work for BB) so it may be delayed.
Jules
Sign in contractors area just rolled over to 7 days to go. That should be the 6th July. That's mid week so it makes sense traffic wise.
bad vibes, noticed tonight the sign has now changed today from the tunnel is to open to the road is to be completed in only 5 days time, starting to think it may not open next week.
The lack of an opening date is a complete farce.
I agree with the farce comment above- surely they should be able to announce the opening date by now. We're into July for goodness sake!!
Every other road project has given false start dates to avoid masses of people turning up to 'try it out' and causing chaos. I still suspect it will be around the 6th but they'll open it by suprise either before or after that date. Come on people - we've waited this long let's just be pleasantly suprised in the near future!
It makes sense to delay opening it as it will cause more fuel to be burnt in the slow moving traffic leading to the traffic light and waiting at the lights - and as we all know using more fuel enables the chancellor to get more fuel duty into the government coffers
I came through Hindhead this morning adn they did not look in any hurry to remove all the concrete crash barriers so it probably won't be tomorrow as was one of the rumoured dates.
Are they actually doing much? When we went through last weekend, there seemed virtually nothing practical going on! I suspected it is all tested and ready, and they are now inspecting and doing the snagging list prior to contracual handover?
It seems uncertain... or is this just the usual decoys mentioned above?
http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/transport/no_date_yet_for_the_new_tunnel_at_hindhead_1_2823302
Well I drove through last night and it didn't look like it was going to open anytime soon, like others really thought it was going to be this week.
I spoke to someone who has worked on the safety side of the tunnel and he advised that when it does open they will only open the southbound bore initially and have the traffic flowing both ways.
This will then allow for them to finish the work at the Northern end for the northbound traffic where the bog concrete blocks are.
So while it maybe this week for openign one tunnel I think it will be another few weeks until both bores are open.
I'd wondered if they were going to do that. If this is the case, I guess we wait for a line of cones on the southbound carriageway? I've been keeping an eye out but no sign yet.
I've heard there is a problem actually inside the tunnel, maybe thats why it doesn't look like there is much going on, on the outside of the tunnel. A friend of mine works in the ops room there and says they're now working 24 hours a day as there are fines for the project over running.
Penalties wouldn't apply until after the mid-August sign over date.
Highways website says end of July!
http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/transport/no_date_yet_for_the_new_tunnel_at_hindhead_1_2823302
"The agency is still not committing itself to a specific opening date.
A spokesman said: ‘The sign-off date for the whole project is the middle of August.
We’re still looking at some time in July for the opening.
The last safety checks are still being carried out on the road.
We are still ahead of schedule'. "
Noticed tonight the speed camera has gone and the concrete blocks south bound have also gone, saw end of july of highway agency site too, not sure when that was update
I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas- cant anyone tell me how many more sleeps?
The sign in the contractors area is still counting down. Tonight it was showing 'two days to go to road handover'.
They were also fitting the SPECS cameras to the variable signs on the souther stretch ner the Merc garage.
Looks like they are ready to make money now so I'd expect the opening to to be very soon.
The Eagle this morning said it would definitely not open this week despite local rumours at that end of july was the target, knew it was unlikely to open when the sign in the contractors yard changed from tunneling opening in x days to road completion in x days. They've had that sign counting down for past 2 months so obviously expected to meet that date but failed miserably...
Eagle report update:
http://www.964eagle.co.uk/news/review.php?article=461583
Looking good.... South bound open first then north bound a bit later so they can finish off the north bound bit of road north of the tunnel where the south bound traffic currently use on the old road...
Maybe they're saying its going to be end of July when its fully open, and Wednesday 6th will be just the Southbound tunnel with a contraflow in place. The concrete blocks are gone from the south side of the southbound carriageway..
Lets hope it soon whatever happens as the northbound traffic is getting worse now the sign at Liphook has been taken down, so no advance warning of waiting times.
Yeah agree with the last comment, very annoying thoses signs have gone took forever to get through southbound rush hour traffic last night
Obviously they are going to have to open 1 of the tunnels so they can ajoin the new and old road in the northbound direction.
For it to be delared open i suspect both tunnels will need to be open and all traffic stopped goign round the punchbowl.
I think gummy should try and find out!
I'm convinced they're waiting for the school holidays when there will be less traffic around - no school runs etc. - so it will all be a success. Then wait until September - the northbound queues might not be at Hindhead but they'll probably be worse near the A31.
surely though the changeover would be overnight when these is a lot less traffic on the road so would not make any difference what day they did it!
The change over will be done during the day using a Police rolling roadblock.
That sounds like a comment from someone in the 'know'...
don't need to waste money on the police, i'll get my misses to lay down and roll over! haha
Does anyone know how the existing Hindhead Road will be routed to the tunnel (as it is already north of the N-bound portal). Are there any maps of this...?
As the A3 road is west of the tunnel then it would be logical that the southbound i.e. east lane is opened first so the northbound traffic can be fed through the current road system...please open the tunnel Thursday a.m. as I am biking to France on the afternoon ferry!
The A 287 Hindhead Road is unchanged as the tunnel runs under it, so it will arrive at the traffic lights. The existing A3 north of Hindhead will be buried, and replace with a footpath, cycle and bridleway nearby. All Hindhead access to and from the A3 will be via the junction just to the south of Hindhead.
Assuming one bore opens first, it will carry traffic in both directions. This is the future, and the existing A3 has no part to play.
The tunnel opening is delayed until at least the end of July
The tunnel is now not expected to open until at least the end of July and even then traffic will be restricted on speed and reduced to single lane movement from either direction
that sucks.....
How very disappointing. We have suffered enough.
Where is everyone getting this information from?
The rolling police road block was used when they opened the Petersfield bypass.
It would be terribly galling to be the last vehicle to have to go round on the above ground road and seeing no vehicles behind you and then joining the A3 at the other end and seeing the traffic streaming thru.
However the delay confirms my "maintaining fuel duty revenue" theory - I reckon they will get it open in time for the extra traffic going to the Olympics.
It seems this lot are incapable of getting things right in any shape or form.
Why not leave it shut to traffic until such time as both bores are fully available to traffic, no rolling roadblocks, just keep it simple.
Southbound looked substantially ready to open tonight bar a few cones. Roadsweepers out at the ssouthern portal. All temporary signs appeared to have been removed. Disinformation campaign in full swing.
Who knows what tomorrow brings. My money is on an early afternoon opening.
I work nearby so will go by that way at around lunchtime and see whats happened, who knows.. Might end up going through..
Into the twilight zone.... Dood do do... LOL!
"It would be terribly galling to be the last vehicle to have to go round on the above ground road"
I'd love to be the last car through the old A3. I'm enjoying every trip round the old road (I must admit I don't have to do it in rush hour!) I might only get to do it once more, I'll spend the rest of my life going through the tunnel.
Just been for a drive round. The signals at the tunnel entrances are green and red in the respective tunnels.
Lets hope for some good news tomorrow!!!
Im working from home wednesday and Friday- please, please, please will someone post as soon as anything happens. Im chomping at the bit to reduce the commute and get a bit of my life back!!!
i'm going to head up there in a little bit and then again this afternoon.
Anyone wanna meet me at ther southern platform/miss james bridge let me know!
Gummy
I asked some workmen working on the southern side signage last night. They told me it was opening today, Wednesday, at 10am. Southbound tunnel only.
Personally, I'm lingering in guildford until around 0945, then I'll park at the Thursley flyover and watch what heppens, so that I can be at the front of the queue if it opens...My wife thinks I'm sad, but SHE JUST DOESN'T UNDERSTAND!!!!
Good old Gummy - thank you.
Yeah thanks Gummy.
I don't see how contraflow will work as the northbound traffic still has to get back over to correct carriage way after leaving the tunnel at some point, surely open southbound tunnel first then keep northbound traffic going through hindhead until northbound road finished.
I am struggling to understand why the opening is being kept so quiet......just open it and be done
I do feel like a child waiting for Christmas day...
...Although this would be a very expensive christmas present.
Can't wait! If it opens today I will be on my way up from Portsmouth this evening for a trip through. My wife thinks I'm sad too, but she's not the one that regularly sat for ages climbing up the hill to Hindhead on the way home.
My Wife travels with me. We have to go through to visit both our parents. She keeps on asking me when it's opening, and is just as interested and keen as me. So it's not sad, it just depends how much of your one life you have spent sitting in traffic at Hindhead!
Concerning contra-flows, the old road is going and the either tunnel has to be able to accommodate two way traffic. So I assume they have built provision for cross-overs into the scheme.
They have but the cross over is before where they need to rejoin the north carriageway to the old a3. I was just referring to this work needed before tunnel fully open.
Well nothing happened at 10am! Still plenty of contractors gear on the approach to the southbound tunnel when I just drove past - but nothing that would take long to clear! I'd have thought that would all have gone by now if it was to be open today though...
Cheers for the update, looks unlikely now for today.
Yep, sorry for the duff gen! I was there at 10am on my motorbike, with a video cam on it and one on my helment. Also,I had my camera in my bag. BUT NO TUNNEL OPENING!! My tunnel-love is getting out of control!!
I stopped in at the site office and asked at reception. The fella told me it was being handed over to the Highway Agency today and would be opened to traffic either next Wednesday or the following Wednesday. Wednesday is favoured as the traffic is the lowest.
He also gave me the site telephone number to check - 01428 686000.
Behind reception, just in the compound and just viewable from the road is one of those signs that tell you how many minutes to wait. That was isplaying 'Handover to HA' today. The wait continues...
We probably won't know until it actually is open..obfuscation seems the modus operandi...that way it creates less possible grief...guess some dude will saunter over and push the gate open and kick the diversion sign over! It might be a surprise to the first person through...but what price it's a guy in a rusty Mondeo wearing a hat...he'll probably not even notice! LOL!
As an afterthought..what is the likelihood of it being opened at 10a.m. on the "quietist" day..Wednesday....which it isn't anyway.....howsabout...3.30A.M.....tomorrow?
Why Dave?
Coz a number have people have suggested it (south) is actually finished and being cleared and 3.30am really is quiet! And more importantly I am heading for France tomorrow!
But if you really want the quietest time then it is 3-5am Sinday morning....
Sinday? LOL.
Article in the Petersfield Post today suggests it'll be later in the month;
http://www.petersfieldpost.co.uk/news/bordon/no_open_date_yet_for_tunnel_1_2836075
Hmmmmm...new date 14 July 2011 maybe. noticed yesterday (5th July)where the current traffic joins heading southbound the big concrete blocks have gone off the A3...
How long before we are sitting in the traffic as someone has had an accident or broken down - it'll be like old times lol
Petersfiled Post quote - "an unspecified July opening date has been pencilled in"
How do you pencil in an unspecified date?
Justin, the guy who does the forestry management for the NT on Hindhead Common, had heard a while ago that the plan was to open one tunnel on 14th and the other the following day. Of course, they might want to keep everyone guessing, so they don't have a jam of cars waiting for the ribbon to be cut on the day!
It's pencil, you can rub it out...
It's like goalposts they can be constantly moved. Just ask the council & government. :-))
I once shot past Oxford and found the M40-M42 link open...no announcement...very quiet and fast (then!)bit of motorway...maybe it's the same here...watch for the dude kicking the no entry sign down!
"How do you pencil in an unspecified date?"
A planned date is set, and they are not telling you!
Drove past (southbound) at 2.30 this afternoon and other than a few cones, a 15mph sign and a road sweeper it looked ready for traffic. Surely there isn't any point in sweeping the road a week or more in advance?. I could understand if it was the day before.
19:30 - Bloke in a dumper truck driving round in circles on southbound carridgeway at southern portal.
'Everything is proceeding as I have forseen'
Once the tunnel is open then we can play predict how long before the new road appears on digital maps and SatNavs
Have fun
I'm guessing 2 years!
You know what google earth is like!
and even when they do update them they will just send you on a 25 mile detour in a river!
If it has been handed over to the Highway Agency then it won't be open until they have walked around with their clipboards for 2 weeks then filled in all the forms and checked with Health & Safety and then they will have to get all the signatures of the local council, the county council, the fire brigade, the police, the ambulance survice.
Once all the forms have been signed they will then be sent by post to the Dept Transport, sit in an in-tray for a week before finally being rubber stamped.
I'd say 27th July at the earliest.
Just updated my TomTom for iPhone and the new route is on it already!!
Crickey the rumour mill is full swing - it's like transfer deadline day!
I have heard a rumour that they are having to install some new software which is not bieng done until friday so wont be open until next week.
If any one knows anymore or spots anything I think we should let gummy know!
Currently sat in more than normal heavy traffic going northbound, will let you know if anything is open soon!!!
Neither side is open, currently there is a line painting vehicle on the southbound side but the concrete blocks are still gone. Will be driving back from London 4ish so perhaps then...
Rumour has it that when the accident trial run with the emergency services was carried out a few weeks ago, the drains couldn't cope with the fire hoses concentrating a lot of water in one place.
Only a rumour though.
I heard that the Highways Agency measured it and it is 2 inches too narrow, so they are going to have to widen it!
The Duke of Kent is at Guildford Cathedral on 12th July (next tues) - perhaps he'll open tunnel that day too??
Quote:- "Just updated my TomTom for iPhone and the new route is on it already!!..."
The car tomtom had that in about three weeks but they removed the Portsmouth road which was a bit early.....
There are indeed problems, until these are addressed the tunnel will not open. Even when it does the traffic will have to be be heavily restricted. Have you all noticed that no one wants to step forward to explain the issue? I wonder why! - because theres been a massive "!"* *p thats why!
Noticed a billboard in Guildford promoting Portsmouth, specifically advertising the fact the Hindhead Tunnel makes it easier to get there. Not yet!
The highways agency have been telling porky pies to the press tic tic
Todays Haslemere Hearld says that hopes that the tunnel will be open before the school holidays look set to be dashed. The schools break up on Friday 22nd July
They also quote a Highways Agency spokesman who says they are still making final safety and electrical system checks to make sure they are all working as they should.
I take it that means they are not currently working as they should!
They were testing the electronic signs at lunch time, so it is evident that testing has not been completed.
There is also a gap in the crash barrier of the South bound carriageway at the Northern end. I would guess that the carriageway will not be opened until this is installed on health and safety grounds.
CB
i heard July 2012 is the new date for it opening
Just seen on the Highways Agency traffic website that delays expected at Hindhead until 6.00am on 24/7 - sounds like the expected opening date:
Link: http://www.trafficengland.com/map.aspx?long0=-153.02732193009462&lat0=3107.724938251105&long1=16.731196588423927&lat1=3034.7776501155117
CB
At least ther're not keeping us in the dark!!
Delay of 10 minutes is hardly the truth so why believe the date.
In a project like this the opening will happen when all the final tasks have been done and the time to finish all the checks and tasks is unknown - they will get done and then they can open the orifice. Unless they are going to have a big opening parade led by the Hindhead and Haslemere Silver Band, a festival in the tunnels celebrating South Downs life and the Devils Punch Bowl. The opening celebrations perhaps lasting a couple of weeks. Then we will hear of a delay and a fixed date for the opening. If not it is a matter of waiting for all the tasks to be completed. a pity they do not tell us how many tasks are still to be done.
Perhaps the public employees involved are on a go slow to protect their pensions.
Just heard that they are going to stick Rupert Murdoch in the tunnel and then fill it in again.
You're not allowed to do that, it's illegal.
You're not legally allowed to put that much $hi7 in the ground, it too polluting. lol!
Wow taxpayer you sure have an axe to grind with the public sector - first your stupid theory about delaying opening to get a bit more fuel duty then banging on about delaying to protect their pensions! Whatever next!
If you have such an issue with politics maybe you should become one and make a difference, until then, do us all a favour and pipe down.
This is the reason for the delay
http://petersfieldnewswire.blogspot.com/2011/07/tunnel-vision-for-contractors.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed
Another rumour.
A lady who owns a local Bed & Breakfast has had a man from the highways agency staying with her. He was there as part of the signing off procedure. According to him, the tunnel was due to open on 6th July. Health and Safety found a problem, opening postponed until 22nd July. Now has no idea when the tunnel might open.
Total Farce! I've been waiting 40 years for this to happen. The road is a nightmare with the queues. I refuse to use the A3 in the summer. Get it sorted out. Any idea what the problem is anyone?
It is all horribly reminiscent of the Southwick tunnel fiasco on the A27 Brighton bypass, which eventually opened in 1996 a year late because it was 'too small' and had to be rebored. Surely the Highways Agency will have learned from that humiliation?
This is the answer I received to an email I sent asking about the tunnel opening date, sounds like it's not going to be until end of July :(
Thank you for your e-mail to the Highways Agency.
In answer to your question, some four and a half years ago we committed to opening the Hindhead tunnel in July 2011. We are still on track to do this and final testing of the tunnel systems is taking place. We had hoped for an opening in early July, but the safety of tunnel users is our number one priority and, although the emergency exercise was a success, we believe the opening will be towards the end of July.
Official announcement regarding the exact tunnel opening date will be made in the next couple of weeks.
Kind Regards,
Charlotte
Charlotte Barrett, Project Support
Highways Agency | Federated House | London Road | Dorking | RH4 1SZ
Tel: +44 (0) 1306 878368
Web: http://www.highways.gov.uk
GTN: 3904 8368
Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers
Highways Agency, an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport.
I indicated there were problems in my posts on the 07.07.11. Nip back and have a read.
In the meantime these issues are still to be resolved, read between the lines of the official statement issued above, There are obviously safety issues!! and it would appear that no one will take responsibility and step forward to explain exactly what the problems are. In the meantime the queues are getting worse and cone city is still in place.
workmen were manually brushing up on the new north portal carriage ways at 14.30 today - this weekend???
I spoke to a Hampshire fireman yesterday and he said yes there were issues and that they should have been dealt with months ago.
Ho hum. Jalsa Salana traffic to deal with this coming weekend as well!
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