Government gives green light to Stonehenge tunnel plans

Plans for a 1.8 mile road tunnel that will run past Stonehenge have been finalised by the Government.  

The plans to transform the A303 from a single carriageway to a dual-lane form part of a £2 billion investment in the south-west.

According to the Department for Transport (DfT), the tunnel upgrade will see the A303 corridor developed into a high quality, high performing route linking the M3 in the south-east and the M5 in the south-west.

Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling said: “This government is taking the big decisions for Britain’s future, underlined by our record £15 billion funding for road schemes.

“This major investment in the south-west will transform the A303 and benefit those locally by cutting congestion and improving journey times. It will also boost the economy, linking people with jobs and businesses with customers - driving forward our agenda to build a country that works for everyone and not just the privileged few."

Drivers, hauliers, residents and other road users are being invited to have their say on the proposal to upgrade a seven-mile single carriageway stretch of the A303 near Stonehenge in Wiltshire into a dual carriageway.

The single carriageway section of the A303 currently runs alongside the stones and the proposed option is to construct a 1.8 mile dual carriageway tunnel to improve journey times, remove the sight and sound of traffic and enhance the world heritage site.

Highways England chief executive Jim O’Sullivan added: “We are delivering the biggest investment programme in our roads in a generation. Our plans for the A303 recognise the national importance of the route and these improvements will bring real benefit to the region and local communities.”

The consultation runs between 12 January and 5 March. Following the consultation the preferred route will be announced later in 2017 and is subject to the completion of statutory procedures for development consent.