Stonehenge could LOSE World Heritage Site status over tunnel concerns

UNESCO is recommending it be placed on an 'at risk' list

Author: Aaron HarperPublished 26th Jun 2024
Last updated 26th Jun 2024

Stonehenge could LOSE its status as a World Heritage Site after a recommendation from UNESCO.

In a report to UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, it's recommended that the Stonehenge and Avesbury World Heritage Site be placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger due to the threat from the A303 road scheme.

Planning permission was granted to National Highways in July 2023, and a legal challenge to it was thrown out in February 2024 - but a further challenge has paused work being carried out ahead of construction.

The report says changes to the scheme that were proposed by National Highways and the UK Government have failed to address UNESCO's concerns.

These changes included ‘cantilevered sides’ and another ‘green bridge’, which add another £50m to the cost of the scheme.

It also tells of frustrations with the Government's attitude to it's obligations under the World Heritage Convention and a failure to respect UNESCO’s request to pause all work to allow further discussion.

Campaign groups, including, Save Stonehenge World Heritage Site (SSWHS) and Stonehenge Alliance, are calling on the next Government to scrap the scheme.

John Adams, chair of the Stonehenge Alliance and one of the 3 directors of SSWHS, said:

“This is a damming verdict on National Highways’ plans. Its minor tweaks have quite rightly cut no ice with UNESCO. You can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig.

"Whichever way you look at it, this scheme will be hugely damaging and should be scrapped.

"The money should be spent instead on improving public transport links to and around the South West. That would be the best way of reducing pressure on the A303, while still retaining the view of the Stones for passing travellers.”

Tom Holland, president of the Stonehenge Alliance, said: “When in a hole, stop digging – and when the hole is one that has been dug by your political opponents, definitely stop digging.

"The new Government will have the perfect opportunity to reverse a road scheme that is not only ludicrously expensive, but risks huge damage to the country’s international reputation. We hope that whoever comes to power next week will seize it.”

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