The 15th anniversary of the Hindhead Tunnel: when the A3 moved underground, nature moved back in
Hindhead Tunnel is now 15 years old - with the area completely transformed
Fifteen years ago, the opening of the Hindhead Tunnel not only removed a bottleneck on the busy Portsmouth to London road, but it also transformed one of the country's most iconic landscapes.
By rerouting the A3 beneath the Devil's Punch Bowl, the scheme removed traffic from the surface, restoring a nationally important landscape while improving safety and delivering faster journeys for millions of road users.
Today, the A3 remains a vital route between the south coast and the UK’s capital, with around 48,000 vehicles travelling through the tunnel each day on a route which previously saw miles of tailbacks every rush area through a traffic-controlled junction at Hindhead.
But now above ground, the former road corridor has been returned to nature, creating a thriving heathland that is now enjoyed by both wildlife and visitors, as well as improving air quality, reducing noise and making the local area a more pleasant places to live for local residents.
Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of National Highways control room operators is based at the Hindhead Tunnel Control Room, discreetly located beside the southbound carriageway of the A3, adjacent to the northern portals. Providing 24/7 cover, they monitor the tunnel, respond to incidents and coordinate its day-to-day operation, helping to keep this key route in the South East safe and running smoothly.
Dominic Holyoak, National Highways Control Operator, said: "It's a unique place to work. On one side we're helping keep one of the region’s busiest roads moving, and on the other you've got the peace and quiet of beautiful countryside and all the wildlife that's returned since the old A3 was removed. Most people drive through the tunnel every day without realising there's a team here making sure everything keeps running safely.
"The tunnel has made a real difference over the last 15 years. Journeys are more reliable for drivers, while above ground the landscape has been transformed into a place where nature has been able to thrive again. It's something we're all proud to play a part in."
Since the Hindhead Tunnel opened 15 years ago, the National Trust, working with Natural England, has restored the former A3 corridor into a thriving heathland landscape. The restoration has helped rare species return, including woodlark, nightjar, the heath tiger beetle and the silver-studded blue butterfly, with Hindhead Common now in favourable condition for nature conservation.
Matt Cusack, Lead Ranger for the National Trust said: “The removal of the A3 in July 2011 was a major milestone, enabling us to thin trees and transform the site into a swathe of heathland. The site has been under a Higher Level Stewardship agreement since 2008 and we are currently midway through an ambitious programme of heathland regeneration funded by Biffa Award.
“Scrub management, heather and bracken cutting, the expansion of woodlark nesting areas and grazing by ponies and cattle, conducted under these schemes, has transformed it - and we want to thank our countryside volunteers, partner organisations and funders for their support."
Stephen Rudd, Principal Manager, Thames Solent Area, Natural England, said: “Fifteen years on, the Hindhead Tunnel stands as a fantastic example of how reconnecting landscapes can benefit both nature and people.
“The recovery of this nationally important heathland is a testament to the long-term commitment of the National Trust, Natural England and its partners, and to the opportunities created when space is given back to nature. We look forward to building on these successes at Hindhead as part of the wider Wealden Heaths National Nature Reserve.”
Today, Hindhead Commons and the Devil's Punch Bowl welcome more than 970,000 visitors each year.
New walking routes, including accessible paths, allow people to experience the restored landscape while helping to protect sensitive wildlife habitats. The site also forms part of the Wealden Heaths National Nature Reserve, a partnership dedicated to conserving one of the South East's most important heathland landscapes.