British Tunnel Projects Face Long Road AheadThree major British tunnel projects have been slowed by extensive environmental requirements and funding issues.A public inquiry into the GBP150 million A3 Hindhead tunnel scheme has started on 7th September. It is expected to last between six and eight weeks. The inquiry will hear evidence from both supporters and objectors to the Highways Agency's scheme. It will also hear evidence both for and against alternative proposals that have been suggested by objectors. Following the inquiry, the inspectors will report their findings to the secretary of state for transport who will decide whether or not the project should go ahead. If approved, it is believed that the road link to the capital could shave 25 minutes off journey times to London by the time of its planned completion in 2010. The dual carriageway would go beneath the Devil's Punchbowl, near the Surrey town, replacing the existing road. The 6.4 km stretch would include two 1.6 km tunnels bored underneath a designated site of special scientific interest. Read E-News Weekly 2/2003. Visit www.highways.gov.uk and click uk/37.On 9th September, transport campaigners demanded a decision on the controversial GBP139 million second Tyne tunnel scheme. It is now 18 months since a public inquiry into the new Tyne crossing project ended. But residents and pressure groups for and against the ambitious scheme are still waiting for a decision from Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott on the proposed new road link between Jarrow and East Howdon. Tenders have been invited for the design, build, finance, operation and maintenance of a new 1.5 km immersed tube tunnel and prequalifiers are expected to be officially announced by the end of the month. Read E-News Weekly 5/2003, 40/2002 & 35/2002. Visit www.newtynecrossing.info and click uk/36.The report on controversial plans to build a GBP200 million tunnel near Stonehenge has gone to the secretary of state for transport, Alastair Darling. Planning inspector Michael Ellison has been compiling his findings since the public inquiry into the road building scheme at the world heritage site finished in May. The completed report will contain a recommendation about whether a 2.1 km tunnel should be bored through the landscape or the plans should be scrapped in favour of finding an alternative solution. The final decision by the department of transport is expected in the autumn. Work on the tunnel could begin as early as next spring if the plans get the go-ahead and will take more than three years to complete. English Heritage and supporters of the tunnel say the road scheme is the only way to restore the integrity of the world heritage site and protect the world-famous monument. Many archaeologists fear building the tunnel will cause irreversible damage to the historic landscape, while others say it is simply too expensive, and accuse the tunnel's supporters of trying to exclude the public from enjoying the monument unless they pay to see it. The National Trust said the proposed tunnel was not long enough to protect the whole site and over four kilometres would be required, despite the GBP400 million price tag. Read E-News Weekly 23/2003 & 43/2002. Click uk/34. 38/04.