Speed Reduction 40mph - Hindhead Tunnel
Reported via desktop in the Electronic Sign (NH) category anonymously at 17:01, Thu 12 September 2024
Sent to National Highways less than a minute later. FixMyStreet ref: 6466117.
Hindhead Tunnel Northbound still reduced to 40mph. Last update stated the issue should have been resolved by mid August. We are now nearly at Mid September, when will this be fixed
Updates
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Thank you for submitting this report
I understand your disappointment that the 40mph speed limit has not been removed. Unfortunately, we were unable to lift the speed restriction by mid-August 2024 as we had originally planned, due to an ongoing intermittent fault with the traffic lights at the tunnel. To ensure everyone’s safety we have had to keep the speed restriction, please be assured we are working hard to find a resolution to the issue.
The fault only relates to the traffic lights on the northbound carriageway, and with the southbound carriageway being unaffected, we did not need to reduce the speed limit in that direction. The speed limit restriction should add less than a minute of delay to journeys through the tunnel., however, I acknowledge that this is undesirable and as soon as we can safely return to the national speed limit we will do so. Thank you for your patience while we resolve this issue.
Kind regards National Highways
Posted by National Highways at 09:17, Fri 13 September 2024
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The 40mph limit has been in place the entire summer causing traffic to back up. It is now even worse, and, here we are in the middle of September yet the 40mph limit is still in place. The new lights are far too bright on entry and the reduced speed limit is unnecessary during the day when not a soul is present to carry out any kind of work. When will this go back to national speed limit please?
Posted anonymously at 21:12, Mon 16 September 2024
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Totally frustrating - what's happening ????
Posted anonymously at 17:45, Wed 23 October 2024
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40 mph speed limit northbound - hindhead tunnel
End of October & still speed restriction????? When will this be lifted??? Totally unnecessary in the day
Posted anonymously at 22:53, Tue 29 October 2024
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If the traffic lights are faulty, why not put a hood over them so if they do change, it doesn't affect the traffic flow.
Posted anonymously at 08:56, Fri 1 November 2024
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National highways commenting that this should add less than a minute to the journey. They clearly haven’t seen the chaos during rush hour. I swear this is in place to make motorists impatient and so they take in the fines.
Posted anonymously at 09:09, Fri 1 November 2024
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November now and the problem has still not been fixed.National Highways not fit for purpose
Posted anonymously at 14:51, Fri 8 November 2024
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Lost for words, worst place for road rage with everyone exceeding the speed limit under taking. Tail gating getting cut up when people come on from slip rood. The traffic lights don't work - fix them.
Posted anonymously at 12:56, Sat 9 November 2024
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National Highways! Get a grip and lift the restrictions! 6 days a week for 5 months I’ve been putting up with this. It’s so frustrating and unnecessary.
Posted anonymously at 09:18, Sat 23 November 2024
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Unbelievable incompetence from National Highways. NO NEED at all for speed restrictions. Has anyone submitted a Freedom of access request to find out how many fines have been issued?
Posted by Dave Skilton at 11:17, Sun 24 November 2024
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Unbelievable incompetence from National Highways. NO NEED at all for speed restrictions. Has anyone submitted a Freedom of access request to find out how many fines have been issued?
Posted by Dave Skilton at 13:03, Sun 24 November 2024
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No not me, who knows it may be that the speed cameras are not working. :)
Posted anonymously at 16:37, Sun 24 November 2024
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Surely there is a greater risk of accident because cars unfamiliar with the restriction may not see the first information and brake suddenly when they realize.
Posted anonymously at 23:39, Fri 13 December 2024
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To avoid anyone getting their hopes up in the lifting of the speed restrictions, as of this morning the southbound side of the tunnel is also reduced to 40MPH. What a joke.
Posted anonymously at 18:23, Wed 18 December 2024
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National highways - is there any update to why this is STILL 40mph 6 months later?! Its causing chaos!
Posted anonymously at 18:00, Thu 19 December 2024
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Basically, like with everything else in this country, our road management is once again a shambles. It does not take 12 months to fix some signal failures haha. Stop lying and tell everyone the real reasons, it is embarrassing now.
It’s either useless things like this or roadworks where no one ever seems to be working on them, or if they are it’s 100 people overseeing one person doing the actual work. This country is a joke with anything. Slow slow slow
Posted by Si at 20:06, Sun 22 December 2024
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Please could you provide us with a suitable update National Highways? It is inconceivable that the North Bound carriageway has had this restriction for MONTHS. With little sign of attempt to remedy this situation. This is not acceptable.
Posted by Georgina Partridge at 09:52, Monday 6 January 2025
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It’s unfair to road users not to have an update as to why this has gone on for so long.
I happen to think it’s more dangerous now as people are ignoring the 40mph signs until they get to the speed cameras as it’s a joke.
Nothing is done and it’s a worry that this can continue without remediation for such a long period.
Posted anonymously at 10:40, Monday 6 January 2025
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What is going on?
Traffic lights take one day to fix, this has been a year now…. Last update was September 2024!
There seems to be no one working there either on this situation so what are my road taxes going to exactly?
Posted anonymously at 11:02, Monday 6 January 2025
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An update would be good. The progress on this is so slow
Posted by Scott Cumming at 11:12, Monday 6 January 2025
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Its now 6 January 2025 and the lame excuses from Highways Agency wont wash anymore - we are being gaslit WHY ?? so, if by the Agencies own admission its a faulty traffic light system - then put some kind of signage on the route that over rides the faulty signals. Surely if a vehicle went over the 40mph they couldnt be prosecuted for speeding if the lights are faulty ??
Posted anonymously at 11:21, Monday 6 January 2025
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Actually quite a hazard as traffic slowing on entry to the tunnel causes a difficulty for those joining north bound at the Hindhead junction. What an embarrassment for you that you have still not been able to fix a signalling issue in the 6 months it has been an issue.
Posted anonymously at 12:15, Monday 6 January 2025
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This is ridiculous, please sort!
Posted anonymously at 13:09, Monday 6 January 2025
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Never seen the traffic lights in use or noticed them. Sort the 40 out. It’s ridiculous how incompetent this situation has been. Lift the limit.
Posted anonymously at 13:28, Monday 6 January 2025
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The sheer incompetence!!!!
Posted anonymously at 13:57, Monday 6 January 2025
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National Highways - please provide us with an update of when this will be sorted by. Doesn't seem like rocket science.
Posted by Ed at 14:02, Monday 6 January 2025
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Last update from NH was 1 November when they said remedial work would be completed by Mid December- they didn’t specify which December!
Posted anonymously at 14:26, Monday 6 January 2025
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Put out manual signs showing the max speed of 70MPH there is no excuse for you still having the north bound speed lights showing 40mph. Youve already admitted its a fault - so dont be surprised if any driver fined for speeding makes a succesful appeal based on the speed lights being faulty
Posted anonymously at 14:44, Monday 6 January 2025
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ChatGPT proposes:
It’s frustrating to deal with such delays, especially when they appear to drag on with no clear resolution in sight. Here are some actions you can take as a motorist:
1. Escalate Your Complaint • Contact the National Highways Customer Contact Centre: Call them on 0300 123 5000 or email them at info@nationalhighways.co.uk. Explain your dissatisfaction, referring to the ongoing delay and lack of resolution, and ask for an update. • Request a Timeline: Demand a clear timeline for resolving the issue. Be firm but polite, emphasizing the impact on motorists and the lack of progress.
2. Involve Local Representatives • Contact Your MP: Highlight the issue to your Member of Parliament. They can raise this matter with the relevant department on your behalf. • Local Council Highways Department: While National Highways manages motorways, local council representatives may also assist in advocating for quicker action.
3. Gather Support • Petition or Social Media Campaign: If the problem affects many motorists, consider starting a petition or social media campaign to draw attention to the issue. Platforms like Twitter and Facebook are excellent for highlighting local concerns and pressuring authorities to act. • Involve Media: Local newspapers or regional news outlets might be interested in covering the prolonged delay and its impact on drivers.
4. Request a Freedom of Information (FOI) Request • You have the right to submit an FOI request to National Highways to understand why the delay is so prolonged and what efforts have been made to resolve the issue. • Request detailed records of repairs, the fault diagnosis process, and any correspondence about this issue. This transparency can pressure them to act more efficiently.
5. Seek Compensation (if applicable) • If you’ve experienced financial loss or significant delays due to this issue, inquire about whether compensation may be possible. Though it’s rare in cases like this, National Highways has a complaints procedure, and documenting the inconvenience caused might yield some goodwill gestures.
6. Encourage Independent Oversight • The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) oversees National Highways’ performance. If you believe National Highways is not fulfilling its responsibilities, file a complaint with the ORR. • Contact: complaints@orr.gov.uk or visit their website for guidance.
7. Highlight Safety Concerns • Emphasize in your correspondence that prolonged delays in resolving safety-critical faults undermine public confidence and could have wider consequences. Frame it as a matter of public interest and safety.
Persistence is key here. By escalating the issue, engaging other motorists, and highlighting the delays publicly, you can increase the pressure on National Highways to prioritize resolving the fault.
Posted anonymously at 15:16, Monday 6 January 2025
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For clarification, I was told it is the traffic lights used to stop traffic outside the tunnel that are faulty, not the speed limit signs. The speed limit has been set at 40 because the traffic lights are faulty as a safety issue. I don't see why the faulty lights can't just be covered up, but please don't assume its the speed limit signs that are wrong as that could land you with a fine if enforced.
Posted anonymously at 15:21, Monday 6 January 2025
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How can such a failure last for so long! This seems to be a convenient excuse for doing nothing. Either the Highways Agency is totally inept or we are being lied to.
Posted anonymously at 20:42, Monday 6 January 2025
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I would like to request under the Freedom of information Act to Request a Freedom of Information (FOI) Request • I have the right to submit an FOI request to National Highways to understand why the delay is so prolonged and what efforts have been made to resolve the issue. • Request detailed records of repairs, the fault diagnosis process, and any correspondence about this issue.
Please provide the above under the FOI request
Posted anonymously at 10:57, Tuesday 7 January 2025
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I got a response from them saying work was completed 17th December early hours. They then have a 14 day monitoring period......
Well... It is over 14 days anyway and still not working
Posted anonymously at 12:33, Tuesday 7 January 2025
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Why is it taking so long to fix the northbound a3 hindhead tunnel?
Posted anonymously at 13:15, Tuesday 7 January 2025
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Just adding to these comments to ask what on earth is going on
Posted anonymously at 17:28, Tuesday 7 January 2025
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Highways agency… it’s been over 14days of monitoring the work that was “supposedly” done on 17th December 2024. So what is the next poor excuse to the shambles that is the hindhead tunnel. We all paid for these roads and tunnel so would like an answer
Posted anonymously at 20:24, Tuesday 7 January 2025
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Muppets. The incompetence is astounding.
Posted anonymously at 22:24, Wednesday 8 January 2025
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Day 563762 - it’s still 40mph
Posted anonymously at 23:03, Wednesday 8 January 2025
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The tunnel cost £371 million to build The tunnel has emergency link tunnels between the two tubes every 100 meters. It also has 104 CCTV cameras and sensors at the entrance to detect pedestrians and cyclists. An update on when the traffic lights might be fixed would be hugely appreciated
Posted by Paul Garner at 09:54, Friday 10 January 2025
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At this rate, it feels like they'll be fixing the Hindhead Tunnel lights just in time for flying cars to make speed limits irrelevant!
Posted anonymously at 10:34, Friday 10 January 2025
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January now and the problem has still not been fixed. National Highways not fit for purpose
Posted anonymously at 15:56, Tuesday 14 January 2025
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This whole response from the Highways agency is a cover up of either their complete failures or something else. Undeer the Freedim of Information I demand a thorough investigation and detailed report providing every sing attempt and effort made for the past 12 months to fix this issue. The Agency is a disgrace and NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE
Posted anonymously at 10:13, Wednesday 15 January 2025
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Local news reports 40mph restriction will be lifted by the end of January 2025: https://www.wokingnewsandmail.co.uk/ news/ national-highways-to-lift-40mph-hindhead-tunnel-speed-limit-by-end-of-the-month-756395
Posted anonymously at 06:46, Thursday 16 January 2025
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The national limit is now back after works last night.
Posted anonymously at 09:02, Wednesday 22 January 2025
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ALLELUIA! it looks like it took an "Executive Order" from Donald Trump to sort it out ;-)
Posted anonymously at 10:19, Wednesday 22 January 2025
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It’s now back to 70:MPH on the North bound but the south bound is now 40 MPH !! What on earth is going on? Good job this is not a main link road from Portsmouth to London !
Posted anonymously at 21:14, Wednesday 22 January 2025
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