Campaigners have accused the transport secretary of a decision that ‘will permanently disfigure Britain’s most significant and sacred prehistoric landscape’ after he gave the go-ahead for National Highways’ controversial plans for a tunnel for the A303 at Stonehenge.
Mark Harper has granted a new development consent order (DCO) for the scheme, after a previous DCO granted by predecessor Grant Shapps was overturned in the High Court.
National Highways said its ‘transformational and sensitive upgrade’ will help to unlock congestion and transform journeys for millions of people using the A303 between the South East and South West.
In fact, the government-owned company’s own analysis shows that the tunnel will lead to congestion elsewhere without works further down the route that currently have no timetable for delivery.
In his decision letter, Mr Harper said he agreed with the Planning Inspectorate that full realisation of the wider benefits would be dependent on all proposed improvements in the A303 corridor being implemented and that in their absence, economic benefits from the scheme would be ‘moderate’.
National Highways 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.’
UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has condemned the scheme, which will see both portals of the tunnel within the World Heritage Site, and has threatened to place the monument on the World Heritage in Danger List.
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. https://t.co/LQMrDibTTK
— Tom Holland (@holland_tom) July 14, 2023
The Stonehenge Alliance campaign said it was appalled by the decision in the face of strong advice from the Planning Inspectorate.
President Tom Holland said: ‘Today, a supposedly Conservative government plans to blow upwards of £2bn, at a time when the country’s finances are in a shocking state, on a monstrous white elephant of a road development that will permanently disfigure Britain’s most significant and sacred prehistoric landscape.
‘The decision of Mark Harper to green-light the building of a tunnel through a stretch of the World Heritage Site that surrounds Stonehenge is as inexplicable as it is disgraceful.’
Derek Parody, project director for the scheme, said Nationalh Highways was currently analysing the detailed changes within the DCO and assessing timescales but anticipates being able to start preparatory work next year.
