Controversial plan for new road tunnel near Stonehenge given go ahead

A controversial plan to dig a road tunnel near Stonehenge has been given the go-ahead by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

The decision, announced by Transport Minister Andrew Stephenson, goes against the recommendations of planning officials, who warned it would cause "permanent, irreversible harm'' to the World Heritage Site.

The A303, which is a popular route for motorists travelling to and from the South West, is often severely congested on the single carriageway stretch near the stones in Wiltshire.

Highways England says its plan for a two-mile tunnel will remove the sight and sound of traffic passing the site and cut journey times.

But some environmentalists and archaeologists have voiced their opposition to the plan due to its potential impact on the area.

In June it emerged that a team of archaeologists had discovered a ring of at least 20 large shafts within the World Heritage Site, a short distance from the stones.

Professor David Jacques of the University of Buckingham, who has been working since 2005 on the Blick Mead area within the world heritage site, close to where the road will run, said the decision was "gut-wrenching''.

He said investigations at Blick Mead had revealed thousands of years of Mesolithic occupation, ancient plant DNA which provides a record of the landscape, and well preserved aurochs' hoofprints.

"The tunnel is going to clearly compromise the archaeology. Whose interest is that in? It makes no sense,'' he said.

"It's not just about Stonehenge, it's not just about Britain, it's an international scandal.''

He said the move to breach an international treaty, the World Heritage Convention, must have been done with the approval of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and said "he should hang his head in shame''.

"Stonehenge is precious for the whole of humanity, for our understanding of how we have adapted and evolved as a species since the Ice Age,'' he said.

The project is classified as nationally significant, which means a Development Consent Order is needed for it to go ahead.

The Planning Inspectorate - an executive agency of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government - recommended the Transport Secretary withhold consent because the project would substantially and permanently harm the integrity and authenticity of the World Heritage Site, which includes the stone circle and the wider archaeology-rich landscape.

In a report to Mr Shapps, the officials said permanent, irreversible harm, critical to the outstanding universal value of the site, or why it is internationally important, would occur, "affecting not only our own, but future generations''.

The Department for Transport wrote to Highways England stating that: "The Secretary of State is satisfied that, on balance, the need case for the development together with the other benefits identified outweigh any harm.''

Derek Parody, Highways England Project Director for the A303 Stonehenge scheme said: “It is a scheme objective to conserve and enhance the World Heritage Site and this is being achieved through close collaborative working with heritage groups, including English Heritage, National Trust, Historic England and the independent A303 Scientific Committee.

“The scheme will not only sustain the Outstanding Universal Value of the WHS, it will also have a beneficial effect, and extensive archaeological studies and assessments have been undertaken to provide evidence of the benefits that the scheme will deliver for the World Heritage Site.

“The decision represents a major milestone, not only for us as the project team but for all those who have supported this project over a number of years; our stakeholders, the heritage bodies, local and regional businesses and indeed local communities.”

Cllr Bridget Wayman, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “We’re delighted that, after many years of planning and lobbying by our dedicated officers and members, consent has been granted for the A303 Stonehenge project.

“It represents a significant investment in Wiltshire that will boost the south-west economy, unlocking jobs and investment throughout the entire region. We now can look forward to construction beginning, and unlocking all the benefits the scheme will bring to Wiltshire and the south west.”

David Tucker, Federation of Small Businesses Transport Chair, said: “This is very welcome news. Upgrading the single carriageway sections of the A303 is key to supporting the south-west economy, particularly as the only alternative route via the M4 and M5 into the region is already heavily used. Investment in improving key links on the country’s A roads is a positive and vital way to support our local regional economies.”

Charles Routh Wiltshire Team Leader for Natural England added: “We’ve worked with Highways England to get some really great outcomes for wildlife from the A303 Stonehenge scheme. The verges and embankments will make for a flower-rich, six-mile long, butterfly highway and large areas of species-rich chalk grassland will be created.”