Nature and Engineering 'Hand in Hand'

8th March 2012

Those that have visited us at our Milford head office will know that we are located conveniently just off the A3 south of Guildford, just a few miles from what was the infamous Hindhead traffic lights, 'was' because in July 2011 the engineering marvel that is the Hindhead Tunnel was opened after 4 years under construction, desperately needed to eliminate the horrendous traffic problems that blighted the lives of those wishing to travel north or south on the A3 through the village of Hindhead, those of you that are familiar with the area will know that on the approach to Hindhead either way, that the A3 that is mostly dual carriageway became a single two way road as it negotiated its way around the Devils Punchbowl, an area of outstanding natural beauty and one the highest points in the south of England.
Some of our staff living south of Hindhead have found themselves in traffic every morning and evening for many years and have had to endure worse during the construction of the tunnel, therefore this quite remarkable photograph was taken by a member of staff on a beautiful Sunday morning following the recent snow fall in the south, believe it or not it shows what was up until less than a year ago one of the busiest roads in the south and for many years, in fact this stretch of road was even well trodden by highwaymen centuries ago, an ideal dark and secluded spot for rich pickings from those well heeled travellers heading from the busy sea port of Portsmouth to London.
When planning traffic relief there were only two options available, build a bridge over the punchbowl or a tunnel underneath it, then what to do with the old A3, the decision was made to return the road to heath land and in keeping with how 'nature intended' and back to the way it was before the motor car or even the horse and cart, all in keeping with the surrounding environment. To have a real understanding of how remarkable these changes are, if you attempted to cross this piece of peaceful snow covered land prior to July last year it would have taken at least an hour if you were lucky and even then the gap between speeding vehicles would have been so small that it would have been to dangerous to attempt.
If you have the chance to visit this area, then take a drive through the nearly two mile long tunnel, it is worth a look, the traffic has been diverted away form the Devils Punchbowl to preserve and protect, so making it a little difficult to find, but it really is worth seeking out, in snow, rain or sunshine and in any season this most tranquil and spectacular of settings is simply breath taking.