A3 viewing platforms signposted

National Trust warden Mathew Cusack installing the new waymarkers

Walkers are being encouraged to visit viewing platforms designed to allow members of the public to keep pace with tunnelling work for the A3 in Surrey.

Nine months into the £371m project, which will take the road under the Devil's Punchbowl at Hindhead, progress is said to be "dramatic".

Hindhead Together has installed new signposts to stop walkers getting lost looking for the viewing platforms.

They direct visitors across Hindhead Common from the National Trust Cafe.

"The viewing platforms enable you to get a feel of the scale of the construction work, as you can really see where the new A3 will sweep down and right under the hill," said spokeswoman Caroline White.

"We hope that many more people will come and visit over the end of the summer and into autumn."

The A3 tunnel at Hindhead, due to open to traffic in summer 2011, will complete the dual carriageway link between London and Portsmouth.

It will free over 400 hectares of heathland for walking, horse riding and other leisure activities.

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 twin-bore tunnel is expected to remove 30,000 vehicles a day from the site.