After nearly two decades and a staggering £179 million spent, the Government has officially scrapped the controversial A303 tunnel plan near Stonehenge. This decision brings an end to one of Britain’s longest-running and most bitter infrastructure disputes.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander formally revoked the development consent order, citing a “substantial change in the scheme’s deliverability.” Officials stated that the tunnel no longer fits with “current strategic policy objectives.” The Department for Transport confirmed that new infrastructure plans will be developed, but did not provide a timeline for these projects.
The tunnel project had already been shelved in 2024 due to escalating costs, despite having secured planning permission just a year earlier. The original proposal featured a bored tunnel beneath the World Heritage Site, alongside two new junctions and a northern bypass. However, the plan is now officially abandoned.
Wiltshire Council expressed strong disappointment over the decision. Martin Smith, the council’s highways lead, described it as “a huge blow,” while council leader Ian Thorne called the cancellation “completely unacceptable.” They emphasised that the scheme was a rare opportunity to alleviate congestion on one of the South West’s busiest roads.
In contrast, heritage campaigners welcomed the outcome. Mike Birkin of the Stonehenge Alliance warned that the tunnel “would have caused enormous damage” to the priceless prehistoric landscape. He highlighted that UNESCO and planning inspectors had opposed the scheme, yet it was pushed forward regardless. Birkin also suggested that the £179 million spent so far would be better invested in improving rail links across the South West.
The money spent on preparatory work is now lost, and the Department for Transport has yet to announce what will replace the tunnel plan or when new projects will begin. Meanwhile, drivers and heritage supporters remain uncertain about the future of transport infrastructure in the region.
Originally published by UKNIP.
