Archived press release

Government to review Stonehenge road tunnel

20 July 2005

The Government is to review plans [1] to put the A303 in a 2.1 km bored tunnel as it passes Stonehenge because of spiraling costs [2], it has been announced today. Friends of the Earth, who had opposed the tunneling proposal, now fears that the Government may come forward with a cheaper proposal even more damaging to the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Friends of the Earth opposed the tunnel plan because:

• The bored tunnel was too short, and would have caused further damage to the wider World Heritage Site. The environmental campaign group had argued that doing nothing was preferable to the Government plans. A longer, 5km bored tunnel, which would pass under the entire World Heritage Site, could have been acceptable.

• The tunnel plans also included dualing the A303 as part of a strategic route for the South West. These road-widening plans have been opposed by Friends of the Earth because they will create more traffic, pollution and congestion, and make it harder still or the Government to tackle greenhouse gas emissions.

Friends of the Earth's South West campaigner Mike Birkin said:

"This proposed tunnel should be abandoned. If it is built it will cause further damage to the Stonehenge World Heritage Site. But we are deeply worried that the Government may come forward with a cheaper and more damaging proposal instead. Stonehenge is a unique and wonderful place. Any scheme that further harms the site must not be considered."

"The Government should also cancel plans to turn the A303 into a `second strategic route' to the South West. The billion pounds saved should be used to boost public transport for the social, economic and environmental benefit of the region's communities."

Notes

1. In December 2002, the Government announced that it would build a short (2.1km) bored tunnel within the Stonehenge World Heritage Site . Draft Orders were published in June 2003, and the Public Inquiry started in Feb 2004.

2. Today's announcement from the Department for Transport reveals that the cost of the A303 Stonehenge scheme has risen from £284 million in 2003 to £470 million today, citing soft chalk and a high water table as the main reasons.

3. In answer to a written question in the House of Lords on 26^th May this year, Lord Davies of Oldham gave the estimated cost of upgrading of the A30/A303 from London to the south-west as £1,042 million.

Friends of the Earth is part of the Stonehenge Alliance, which includes CPRE, Transport 2000 and RESCUE (British Archaeological Trust).

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust