A plan to build a road tunnel past Stonehenge has been finalised by the Government after around 30 years of delays. The tunnel is considered necessary in order to ease congestion on the very busy A303, which currently runs past the World Heritage Site.
The plans are, however, very controversial, with campaigners claiming the tunnel will cause irreparable damage to Stonehenge and the archaeology in the area.
Highways England's Jim O'Sullivan said, "Our plans for the A303 recognise the national importance of the route and these improvements will bring real benefit to the region and local communities. The public exhibitions will provide an excellent opportunity to explain further our plans and to hear feedback from stakeholders."
The campaign group Stonehenge Alliance issued a statement saying "The Alliance does not advocate new road building at Stonehenge, but accepts the need to improve the tranquillity and appearance of the World Heritage Site and its setting. If the government insists on widening the A303 by means of a tunnel it must be sufficiently long to avoid any further damage to [Stonehenge] and its setting."
English Heritage and the National Trust have given their support to the tunnel option, and a report by UNESCO and the International Council on monuments and Sites has recognised the benefits of the project.
The plans will go through public consultation until 5 March 2017 before final approval is given to the plans.
