Originally the London to Portsmouth road passed through numerous towns and villages - including Kingston, Esher, Guildford, Godalming, Petersfield and Havant, but a programme of road improvements, starting in the 1930's has transformed the road so that is now predominantly a two or three lane dual-carriageway.
All the main towns have been by-passed, but a short stretch of single carriageway road remains in the vicinity of Hindhead and the Devil's Punchbowl beauty spot, about 8 miles south-west of Guildford.
The road is heavily used by commuters[?] and long queues build up at Hindhead, particularly during the morning peak hours.
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