Contracts worth £1.31bn signed for Stonehenge tunnel scheme
The controversial project is still waiting for approval
National Highways has announced it has the key contracts in place to deliver the controversial Stonehenge tunnel scheme despite the fact it hasn't been approved yet.
The government owned organisation has confirmed two deals for the A303 scheme from Amesbury to Berwick Down which includes digging a two mile long tunnel.
The overall cost of the scheme is £1.7bn with the contracts announced worth £1.3bn.
One worth £60m has been awarded to Costain and Mott MacDonald to provide technical and construction management expertise and oversee construction.
A 1.25bn contract has been signed with MORE join venture comprising of the Spanish FCC Construcción, Italy's WeBuild and Austrian BeMo Tunnelling to deliver the main tunnel and construction work.
The planning application is still pending redetermination by the Secretary of State for Transport, following the quashing of the decision to grant the Development Consent Order by a High Court judge last year.
New Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyn has now taken that over from Grant Shapps.
National Highways says the contracts will help ensure programme timescales are maintained.
Derek Parody, National Highways’ Project Director for the A303 Stonehenge scheme, said:
“We’re pleased to have brought in a team of expert contractors.
“The main works contract will only become live once the Secretary of State has concluded the planning process.
“The announcement in no way pre-empts any decision, and once that is finalised, and should the Development Consent Order be granted, having these contractors in place puts us in the strongest possible position to deliver this transformational scheme and deliver the benefits we know it can.
“The scheme will not only unlock congestion along this vital A303 route, but also conserve and enhance the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site."