Views sought on Hindhead future

The tunnel beneath the Devil's Punchbowl is due to open in 2011

People living near the Devil's Punchbowl are being asked for their views on how the area should develop once the Hindhead tunnel is built.

Excavation work on the twin bore tunnel under the A3 in Surrey is under way, with completion due by summer 2011.

An exhibition is being held over the next two days at the Devil's Punchbowl Hotel on how the Hindhead area should be improved for residents and wildlife.

The road tunnel will be the longest under land in the UK.

In October 2007 a viewing platform and visitor centre was opened to keep people up-to-date with progress.

The platform is just off Footpath 95 near the northern tunnel entrance.

The Devil's Punchbowl is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and also part of an international special protection area designated under the EU Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds.

The government has said the twin-bore tunnel will remove 30,000 vehicles a day from the heathland site.