LONDON—The UK government has officially cancelled the controversial Stonehenge tunnel project, which aimed to construct a two-mile tunnel near the iconic prehistoric monument. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the decision by the new Labour government to abandon the £2 billion Scheme. The project had been a point of significant debate and legal challenges, particularly under the previous Conservative administration.
The Stonehenge tunnel project, part of a more significant overhaul of the A303 in Wiltshire, was initially approved in November 2020. The plan included reconfiguring eight miles (12.8 km) of the major road and had the backing of Wiltshire Council. The intent behind the project, as outlined by National Highways, was to reduce journey times, alleviate traffic congestion, and remove the road from the view of the historic landscape, providing a more scenic and less disruptive environment around Stonehenge. However, the Scheme faced substantial opposition. Planning Inspectorate officials had warned that the construction would cause “permanent, irreversible harm” to the area, which is a designated World Heritage Site.
The Stonehenge tunnel project was embroiled in numerous legal challenges spearheaded by various campaign groups, including Save Stonehenge World Heritage Site. The High Court quashed the initial approval in 2021, only for the Department for Transport (DfT) to grant permission again in July 2023. This approval was subsequently put on hold following another High Court challenge in December of the same year.
In February 2024, a judicial review dismissed the campaigners’ challenge, affirming that the DfT had followed the correct procedures. Despite this, campaigners remained steadfast in their opposition, appealing the decision and securing the right to challenge it in May.
The Labour government’s decision to cancel the project reflects its stance on prioritizing heritage conservation and addressing environmental concerns. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that the Transport Secretary had agreed not to “move forward” with the project, a move anticipated by many following Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s reluctance to commit to the Scheme during the election campaign.
John Adams, a prominent Save Stonehenge World Heritage Site campaigner, expressed relief at the Government’s decision. “All agencies should get together and look at other intelligent alternatives. It’s not necessarily a whole road scheme, but some things could be done at both ends of the World Heritage Site to stop rat-running through local villages,” Adams said.
The cancellation of the tunnel project has left local communities, which have long dealt with traffic congestion and rat-running through their villages, in a state of uncertainty. Conservative MP for the area Danny Kruger emphasized the need for the Government to fund alternative solutions to address the traffic issues. “Road improvements have been needed for years but delayed in anticipation of the tunnel. The status quo is completely unacceptable,” Kruger stated.
Residents of Shrewton, a village affected by the A303 congestion, echoed these sentiments. Parish councillor Paul McKernan highlighted the daily challenges locals face due to the heavy traffic. “We routinely have traffic at a complete standstill through these very narrow roads as people’s satnavs take them away from the A303. It’s getting worse,” McKernan noted.
As the Government pivots away from the tunnel project, the focus now shifts to finding viable alternatives that balance heritage conservation with modern infrastructure needs. The debate over managing traffic around one of the UK’s most treasured landmarks continues.
Top Photo: Simon Banton Courtesy Wikimedia Commons