Campaigners in court for Stonehenge Tunnel legal challenge hearing
Those against the A303 scheme want its approval to be quashed
Last updated 12th Dec 2023
Campaigners opposed to the approval of the controversial A303 Stonehenge tunnel are at the High Court today (December 12th) for the first day of a hearing into their potential legal challenge.
Save Stonehenge World Heritage Site (SSWHS) is calling for the decision made by Transport Secretary Mark Harper in July to be quashed.
The ÂŁ1.7 billion project includes plans for a two mile tunnel for a dualled A303 past the stone circle, as well as a bypass for Winterbourne Stoke and a flyover for the Countess roundabout at Amesbury and further improvements over an eight mile stretch.
Those in favour of the project say it will ease traffic issues on one of the South West's busiest and most congested routes.
Campaigners have been arguing the scheme would damage the UNESCO World Heritage and the archaeologically-rich landscape.
Proceedings will take place over the next three days, with a decision likely to be handed down in the New Year.
The SSWHS has raised more than ÂŁ80,000 through an online fundraising page to enable them to bring the challenge.
John Adams, chair of the Stonehenge Alliance and one of the 3 directors of SSWHS, said:
“In the face of Government indifference to the harm this road will cause the World Heritage Site, we had no choice but to bring this legal action.
"As before we hope we are successful in overturning this proposed vandalism. We hope justice will be served over the next three days.”
David Bullock, National Highways’ Project Manager for the A303 Stonehenge scheme, said:
"We acknowledge there is a clear process for any legal challenge, we are taking part in that legal process and we remain confident this scheme is the best solution for tackling a long-standing traffic bottleneck, improving journeys, bringing much needed relief to local communities and boosting the economy in the south-west, while conserving and enhancing the World Heritage Site.
"In the meantime, and following the granting of the scheme’s Development Consent Order, we are continuing to plan and make preparations for starting preliminary work and archaeology fieldwork on site in 2024."