Stonehenge scheme on the rocks

13 December 2007

The Government has ditched the A303 Stonehenge Improvement Scheme because the £540M price tag ‘cannot be justified’.

The cost of the 2.1km-tunnel scheme had almost doubled from £223M in 2004 when it was taken to public inquiry. The latest cost estimate reflected a number of factors, including ‘unexpectedly poor ground conditions, more stringent requirements for tunnelling work, and rapid inflation in construction costs’, transport minister, Tom Harris, said in a parliamentary written answer.

Although there were no ‘acceptable alternatives’ to the tunnel scheme, Harris said it would not represent best use of taxpayers’ money. He said the Government remained committed to exploring possible small-scale measures to improve traffic flows and safety along this section of the A303.

The move was widely criticised by local councils and the South West of England Regional Development Agency, which said neither congestion nor heritage issues benefited from the decision to scrap the scheme.

Cllr Julian Johnson, chair of the Regional Transport Board, said: ‘The assembly is concerned that this decision, now it has been finally been made, does nothing for the South West or for our national heritage.

‘This announcement may even jeopardise the delivery of carefully worked-out transport for the South West, which include improvements to the A303 and A358 to create the ‘second strategic route’ which the Government previously approved.’

Cllr Paul Sample, leader of Salisbury District Council, said it was a ‘real blow’ to the local Amesbury community. ‘There has been more than 20 years’ discussion around this issue, and on the table was a widely supported solution which addressed traffic problems as well as putting the stones in a more appropriate setting.’

But, welcoming the decision, a spokesperson for the Campaign for Better Transport, said: ‘We’ve been saying for years that the plan to build a tunnel and road through the Stonehenge World Heritage Site would be an environmental and financial disaster. ‘We’re glad the Government has seen sense to drop this brutal scheme.’

Register now for full access

Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.

Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors. Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.

Already a registered? Login

Sign In

Stonehenge scheme on the rocks

order biaxin tablets

buying biaxin

ordering clarithromycin

Register now for full access

Login