A303 Stonehenge tunnel APPROVED
The controversial plans have got the go-ahead from the Transport Secretary
Last updated 14th Jul 2023
The long-discussed plans to build a road tunnel near Stonehenge have finally been approved.
The Transport Secretary. Mark Harper, has granted permission - two years after a previous application was quashed by the High Court.
A Development Consent Order previously issued for the £1.7 billion scheme was thrown out over concerns for the environmental impact on the Unesco World Heritage Site.
The plans include a two mile long tunnel that take the road out of sight of the stone circle, as well as a bypass for the village of Winterbourne Stoke, improvements for the Longbarrow Roundabout and a flyover for the Countess Roundabout.
In a 64-page letter granting fresh approval, the DfT said Mr Harper is 'satisfied' that the project's 'harm on spatial, visual relations and settings is less than substantial and should be weighed against the public benefits'.
Campaigners against the plans have expressed their disappointment at the plans.
The Stonehenge Alliance challenged the previous announcement in the High Court, and their spokesperson Kate Fielden says other solutions need to be found to cut congestion in the area:
"There are ways of dealing with this that do not require a new piece of road, and enormous expense, and huge damage to our heritage.
"It's a great disappointment, given that the scheme was recommended for refusal from the Government's own team of examiners, it's received the thumbs down from UNESCO and it's a poor example to the world really, that the UK Government would treat a World Heritage Site in this way."
Historian Tom Holland, who's also against the plans posted on social media saying:
"At the best of times this would be a grotesque decision, but at a time when the country is faced with so many bills, such a financial shortfall, this desecration of a World Heritage Site is the height of folly - an act of vandalism that shames Britain."
Traffic hotspot and safety concerns
The A303 as been a notorious bottleneck for traffic, making its way down to the South West.
Particular problems are caused by the lanes narrowing of the carriageway from two to one, just by the stone circle.
Traffic also often slows down there for motorists to take a look at the monument.
Safety has also been an issue there, with a number of serious and fatal crashes there.
National Highways reaction
The body that is set to build the tunnel and road improvements say they're 'really pleased' with the approval.
Chief Executive Nick Harris said:
“The A303 Stonehenge scheme is part of the biggest investment in our road network for a generation, and I’m really pleased the project has been given the green light by the Secretary of State for Transport – a decision which will enable us to progress this transformational scheme and deliver the planned benefits.
“The decision follows a lot of work on a comprehensive year-long process to reassess our Development Consent Order, looking in detail at possible alternatives, also including cumulative carbon and heritage issues.
“It means we’re now a step closer to solving the longstanding issues of congestion and delays on the existing A303, improving journeys for all our customers and bringing much-need relief to local communities.
“The investment, along with other improvements along the A303, will help to boost the South West economy, improve journey reliability, remove the sight and sound of traffic from this very busy road and return one of our most important World Heritage Sites to something like its original setting.”
Cllr Caroline Thomas, Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, has also welcomed the decision and said:
“We’re delighted that consent has been granted once again for the A303 Stonehenge project and it can now move forward.
“This huge infrastructure project represents a significant investment in Wiltshire that will boost the economy of both our county and the wider region, unlocking jobs and investment.
“Along with the construction, there will also be comprehensive programme of archaeological mitigation, which will enhance our understanding of the World Heritage Site.
“We can now look forward to construction starting and unlocking all the benefits the scheme will bring both to Wiltshire communities and the wider south-west region.”
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said:
"This saga is starting to feel almost as old as the stones themselves and it's not over yet.
"The likelihood must be that objectors will already be poring over the Secretary of State's lengthy and detailed decision letter looking for grounds on which to launch another legal challenge.
"Quite apart from the risk of further legal delays, the next hurdle for the project is getting the funding in place to proceed, despite the economic squeeze on the Department for Transport's budget.
"While users of the A303 might be encouraged by today's decision it feels like they'll still be able to enjoy the current view of the stones from the road for quite some time to come.
"Since 1991 there have been dozens of different proposals for removing traffic from the Stonehenge site."
Rebecca Lush, Transport Action Network's roads and climate campaigner, said:
"Just as the Climate Change Committee has recommended that new roads should be reviewed, Mark Harper seems to be in denial by giving the go-ahead to the Stonehenge dual carriageway through the World Heritage Site.
"National Highways admit the scheme would increase carbon emissions by 2.5 million tonnes over its lifetime at a time when we need to rapidly reduce emissions. This decision flies in the face of the evidence on climate change and the recommendations of the climate change committee, and will devastate the World Heritage Site."