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Anita
Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Mar 15, 2006
Posts: 3219
Location: Windlesham, Surrey
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 Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 6:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Wazza_G wrote: | | But this has caused some very vociferous debate amongst those of us who will be using the tunnel on a regular basis. |
I believe the single-direction Dartford tunnel has a 50mph limit, so the Hindhead tunnel was never likely to be more than that.
According to the link in your first post, the tunnel is 1.9km long. By my reckoning, and I'm happy to be corrected, that's a little under 1.2 miles which, at 40mph, would take 1.8 minutes, and at 50mph it would take 1.44 minutes. Is it really worth getting worked up about an extra 22 seconds travel time? Even compared to 60mph it would only be an extra 36 seconds.
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Anita
TomTom VIA 135 - App 12.075
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Wazza_G
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Joined: Jan 10, 2006
Posts: 585
Location: Guildford (Regrettibly)
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| Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 7:22 pm Post subject: |
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It's not the point though.
The original idea of the tunnel was to give motorists a faster journey from London/M25/Guildford to Portsmouth, however with the SPECs cameras in place, (which shouldn't actually be there if the HA were to follow their own guidelines) will actually increase journey times (the original road was faster), because people will actually, brake from 70 to 40 or travel slower than the limit to ensure the cameras don't give them a speeding ticket.
This will inevitably cause more accidents (as proven in the past), delays & tailbacks.
I'm now awaiting a response from the HA to my enquiry.
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DennisN
Tired Old Man
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 14892
Location: Keynsham
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| Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 7:35 pm Post subject: |
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Having the tunnel on the map before it's opened is ridiculous. The strange thing is that it isn't shown on TT's website Route Planner! (Well, of course it shouldn't, but how then can it be on their TT device maps?).
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Dennis
If it tastes good - it's fattening.
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Wazza_G
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Joined: Jan 10, 2006
Posts: 585
Location: Guildford (Regrettibly)
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| Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 7:51 pm Post subject: |
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Like I said, that's why I dumped TT, their mapping is absolutely hopeless!
At least Garmin haven't made the stupid mistake of putting it on their maps...Yet!
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M8TJT
The Other Tired Old Man
Joined: Apr 04, 2006
Posts: 10118
Location: Bexhill, South Sussex, UK
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| Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 8:02 pm Post subject: |
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Surely using the tunnel even at 40MPH will be quicker than going round the Devil's Elbow, the long bits of single carriageway and negotiating the lights in Hindhead? Or has the old route been changed in the last few years since I went up it? It's an 'elf n safty' thing  |
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theripper
Pocket GPS Verifier
Joined: Feb 07, 2006
Posts: 581
Location: Medway Towns, Kent
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| Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 9:09 pm Post subject: |
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| DennisN wrote: | | Having the tunnel on the map before it's opened is ridiculous. The strange thing is that it isn't shown on TT's website Route Planner! (Well, of course it shouldn't, but how then can it be on their TT device maps?). |
Yes but the tunnel will be open before the next map update so they are just making sure their maps are the best  |
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BigPerk
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Joined: Sep 06, 2006
Posts: 1618
Location: East Hertfordshire
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| Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 5:59 pm Post subject: |
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Wazza_G wrote | Quote: | | I've sent an email to the HA enquiring what the speed through the tunnels will be ... |
I'm sure your pessimism about a reply from HA is unjustified  but just in case ...
I think that this relates to speed limits during the work that remains to be done up to the end of 2011.
The HA site says on Traffic Management | Quote: | The length of A3 under traffic management at the north end of the scheme will remain until the project is complete. Northbound traffic between the old end of the single carriageway and the site offices uses the Boundless Thursley link while southbound traffic uses the northbound carriageway and a temporary link to the existing A3. For safety reasons there is a 40mph speed limit enforced by safety cameras.
South of the tunnel all A3 traffic now uses the new carriageway in single lane working on both carriageways between the new Hazel Grove junction and the Canadian Memorial underpass with 50mph speed limit. There is now access from Knockhundred Lane to the A3 southbound carriageway and from the nortbound carriageway to Upper Hammer Lane. |
The only legislation I can find (coming into force on 14 June) also refers to this ongoing work period as being "starting on Tuesday 14th June 2011 and ending on 31st December 2011" I won't take up more space with quotes but if anyone REALLY wants to look up Parliament's Statutory Instruments, it's "2011 No. 1303" (just search 'Hindhead'). I can't find any references to permanent speed limit legislation, which I assume would be necessary to set whatever final limits are decided, and would be brought into force at the end of 2011.
I see incidentally that HA say the old A3 will be closed down afterwards, presumably to restore the countryside. That presumably means that you will no longer enjoy the view as a motorist, but only as a walker.
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Wazza_G
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Joined: Jan 10, 2006
Posts: 585
Location: Guildford (Regrettibly)
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| Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 7:46 pm Post subject: |
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Well the information that I've gleaned from several sources stay that the following apply:
1: Normal conditions both tunnels open to traffic: Speed limit 70mph.
2: Degraded conditions: This can be where there's a lane closure or tunnel closure due to accident &/or maintenance or incident: 40mph.
When it's said an incident, there's a whole host of reasons that could automatically trigger a speed reduction, this includes someone opening a door either by accident or deliberately.
There's an estimated 136  cameras in these tunnels!
The SPECs cameras are operational 24x7x365.
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M8TJT
The Other Tired Old Man
Joined: Apr 04, 2006
Posts: 10118
Location: Bexhill, South Sussex, UK
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| Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 8:01 pm Post subject: |
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| Wazza_G wrote: | | this includes someone opening a door either by accident or deliberately. |
What kind of tunnel is it that requires doors?  |
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Wazza_G
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Joined: Jan 10, 2006
Posts: 585
Location: Guildford (Regrettibly)
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| Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 8:10 pm Post subject: |
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There are fire/emergency escape doors within the tunnel.
The detectors can also detect car doors being opened! 
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BigPerk
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Joined: Sep 06, 2006
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Location: East Hertfordshire
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| Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 8:52 pm Post subject: |
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If they intend to operate at 70 after the end of 2011, I guess they just won't bring in any further legislation then - I wouldn't think the national limit needs any!
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David
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DennisN
Tired Old Man
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 14892
Location: Keynsham
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| Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 7:35 am Post subject: |
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| M8TJT wrote: | | Wazza_G wrote: | | this includes someone opening a door either by accident or deliberately. |
What kind of tunnel is it that requires doors? |
Well how else do you get into it? 
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Dennis
If it tastes good - it's fattening.
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M8TJT
The Other Tired Old Man
Joined: Apr 04, 2006
Posts: 10118
Location: Bexhill, South Sussex, UK
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| Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 8:28 am Post subject: |
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| They leave them open most of the time |
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BigPerk
Frequent Visitor
Joined: Sep 06, 2006
Posts: 1618
Location: East Hertfordshire
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| Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 10:00 am Post subject: |
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Much more of this nonsense you lot and you'll have Darren on the warpath   !!
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David
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Wazza_G
Lifetime Member
Joined: Jan 10, 2006
Posts: 585
Location: Guildford (Regrettibly)
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| Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 2:42 pm Post subject: |
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I got an official answer to my question from the HA.
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Dear Mr XXXXXX
The normal speed limit is 70mph shown by derestriction signs or blank signs where appropriate. In the event of an incident or maintenance activity this will be changed to 40mph and signs will clearly show this lower speed limit both inside and outside of the tunnel. |
So we have a definitive answer.
Just mind the SPECs cameras.
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