Stonehenge Tunnel Project Officially Scrapped by UK Government

The UK government has officially revoked the Development Consent Order (DCO) for the controversial A303 Stonehenge Tunnel project. This decision effectively ends the long-debated plan to build a tunnel near the ancient monument, citing “exceptional circumstances” for the revocation. The move follows a suspension of the project in July 2024 by the new Labour government due to budgetary concerns.

Key Takeaways

The UK government has formally revoked the Development Consent Order (DCO) for the A303 Stonehenge Tunnel.
The decision was made by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, citing “exceptional circumstances.”
The project, estimated to cost £2 billion, was previously suspended by the Labour government in July 2024.
Campaigners have long argued the tunnel would cause irreversible harm to the Stonehenge World Heritage Site.

A Controversial History

The Stonehenge Tunnel project, officially known as the “A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down Improvement,” has faced significant opposition and legal challenges for years. The plan involved constructing an 1.8-mile road tunnel to reroute the busy A303 away from the iconic standing stones. However, heritage groups and archaeologists warned that the tunnel and associated roadworks would cause “permanent, irreversible harm” to the Stonehenge World Heritage Site and its wider ritual landscape.

Despite these concerns, the previous Conservative government granted consent for the project in July 2023. This decision was a redetermination after an earlier DCO granted by Grant Shapps in November 2020 was ruled unlawful by the High Court in October 2022. The High Court had found the decision to be “unlawful,” and the DCO was sent back for re-determination, eventually being granted again by then-Transport Secretary Mark Harper, against the advice of the Planning Inspectorate.

Reasons for Revocation

The Labour government, upon taking office, paused the project in July 2024, citing budgetary constraints and the project being “unfunded or unaffordable.” The official revocation order, published by the Department for Transport, cites “exceptional circumstances” without further elaboration. However, the decision aligns with the government’s broader review of infrastructure projects and a commitment to fiscal responsibility.

Campaigners, including the Stonehenge Alliance, have welcomed the government’s decision. Tom Holland, president of the Stonehenge Alliance, described the project as a “monstrous project” and expressed relief that it has been cancelled, also noting the significant cost savings of approximately £2.5 billion.

International Concerns and Archaeological Discoveries

International bodies, including UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, had repeatedly expressed concerns about the potential negative impact of the tunnel on the “Outstanding Universal Value” of the Stonehenge World Heritage Site. Archaeological discoveries in recent years, revealing a vast ritual landscape surrounding Stonehenge, further amplified these concerns, with experts arguing that tunneling would cause irreparable damage to these significant findings.

The Department for Transport is currently consulting on the proposed revocation, with representations accepted until November 21. This move effectively halts any future attempts to proceed with the tunnel construction, preserving the integrity of the ancient monument and its surrounding landscape.