My Tunnel Visit

Today I was very privileged and honoured to be invited down to the tunnel to have a look around and take some photo's.

I was shown round "Betsy" who is 1 of 3 Liebherr R944 Tunnel Excavators. She was used to dig out the Southbound tunnel. All 3 tunnel excavators were made purely for this project and are completely bespoke.

Once inside the tunnel you get a real perspective of the shear size of the project and what a fantastic job Balfour Beatty and all the other contractors have done. Not only in actually digging the tunnels and surrounding areas but making it a very safe working environment, they have gone nearly a million man hours accident free, to minimise disruption to locals residents and in keeping us informed and updated on progress thus far.

To be inside the tunnels was just amazing and to all of you who have said it does not look big enough - trust me it is!

Work inside the both tunnels continue furiously day and night and you can really see why. I got to go through one of the many cross sections between the 2 tunnels that will be used in case of emergencies.

The tunnels are due to be filled in up to road level in the near future, using spoil and muck from the Hazel Grove cutting. They had to dig about 5 - 6 feet lower than required in order to install drainage, power cables and safety systems. Also every few hundred yards they have air quality monitoring stations to make sure the air in the tunnel is safe to work in.

"Betsy" is going to be on display outside the main compound entrance for a limited time and is well worth stopping off to have a look at her. She is a phenomenal piece of machinery, seeing her close up, you can really appreciate what a huge effort diggin the tunnels were. I can honestly say that once this project is completed and opened it is going to make a massive difference to Hindhead and the quality of life in Hindhead.

I must say a massive massive thank you to everyone at Balfour Beatty who made my visit today possible and made me feel so welcome.

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

Haslemere Museum & "Betsy"

Morning Everybody

Just a quick note to let you all know that there is currently a Tunnel exhibition being held at Haslemere Museum. the exhibition will run until the 21st November and it gives you an insight into how well they are doing, some of the problems they have had to face and much more besides.

Also as of yesterday and for a limited time only, until a new home can be found for her, "Betsy" one of the 3 machines that was used to dig the tunnel will be on display outside the visitor centre at the main compound on the southbound carriageway, just north of Hindhead. For a small contribution to Muscular Dystrophy, which is Balfour Beatty's annual charity they can arrange for the cab to be unlocked for viewings and photo's. Please contact me through this website and i can forward any viewings to Balfour Beatty. Once I have permission I should able to put a either a direct contact number or email address to arrange viewings. This is a very rare opportunity and one not to be missed.

I have a viewing arranged and should have some very very exciting photo's to come next week, not just of Betsy but much more besides!

As always keep your photo's and comments coming.

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

Sunday Morning Chills

Red Robbo braved the early morning cold to get these excellent photo's as always. These are a collection looking at the entrance to the Southern Portals and also looking towards and down from the Hazel Grove Junction.

Quick note on myself I am now nearly fully recovered from my illness and should be able to get back out and about to take some more photo's soon.

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

Boundless Road Update

Here is an update set of photo's looking out from the northern portals to the A3 and back towards the tunnel entrances. AS you can see the valley has now been filled in and looks like is almost at road level.

Many many thanks to red Robbo for some more excellent photo's.

Sorry for the delay in the next post guys but I have been (still am) quite poorly so getting on and doing it has been a struggle!

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

Highways Agency Pictures

Hey guys and gals i'm back from my holiday now so time to update things I think.

Here are 3 photo's, 1 from inside the tunnel and 2 ariel photo's showing the New Hammer Lane junction and the whole route from the Southern end down passed Hammer Lane and onto towards Liphook.

Imust say a very big thank you to the Highways Agency for not only taking these brilliant photo's but also for very kindly giving me permission to use them.

Keep on diggin........

Boundless Lane Re-opened!

Boundless road is now completed and has re-opened on friday

Many thanks to Richard for the fantastic photo's - I'm off for a drive down there tonight!

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