The government has given the go-ahead for a controversial two-mile tunnel under Stonehenge.
Transport minister Andrew Stephenson announced approval for the £1.7 million project, designed to tackle frequent congestion along the A303 near the stones in Wiltshire.
The decision comes despite official warnings that the project will cause “permanent irreversible harm” to the World Heritage Site.
First proposed in the late Eighties, plans for the Stonehenge tunnel have been repeatedly rejected due to fears of damaging archaeological areas and artifacts around the monument.
Now approved, the project will see the single carriageway along the A303 turned into a dual-carriageway tunnel running under the ancient site.
Highways England says the tunnel will remove the sight and sound of traffic passing the popular tourist area, while cutting journey times for both tourists and commuters travelling to and from the South West.
But environmentalists and archaeologists are still openly opposed to the project due to its potential destructive impact.

Cheaper than AA Price Promise^
- Roadside cover from £5.29 a month*
- We get to most breakdowns in 60 mins or less
- Our patrols fix 4/5 breakdowns on the spot
*At least 10% of new customers pay this for single-vehicle Roadside (Basic). ^T&Cs apply.
The Planning Inspectorate – an executive agency of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government – also recommended the Transport Secretary withhold consent, because of the irreversible damage the project could have on the authenticity of Stonehenge.
However, Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, overruled the recommendation, giving the scheme the green light and ending more than three decades of debate.
There is now a six-week period in which the decision can be challenged in the High Court.
- Everything you need to know about the Blackwall Tunnel
- Channel Tunnel – car and driving video guide
- The top 10 best road trips in the UK
Greenpeace UK head of transport, Richard George criticised the government’s decision. He said: “This new road tunnel will be a disaster for England’s heritage and the world’s climate.
“If the Government is serious about a green recovery from the pandemic, it should be investing in public transport, but instead we’re getting more traffic and more pollution.”
Highways England project director Derek Parody said it is collaborating with heritage groups such as English Heritage, National Trust and Historic England to ensure the scheme will “conserve and enhance” the World Heritage Site.
Preparatory work on the project is due to begin in spring next year, with the five-year construction phase expected to start by 2023, one year later than originally planned.

Get 30 driving tips that will save you money
Running a car isn’t cheap, but there are some easy things you can do to keep your costs down.
Get these tips and more useful driving articles sent straight to your inbox now.
You might also like

Everything you need to know about the Blackwall Tunnel
If you’ve listened to traffic reports in London, you’ll have heard of the Blackwall Tunnel. Here’s all you need to know before your next trip. Changes in 2025.
Video

Channel Tunnel - car and driving video guide
Allow us at the RAC to guide you through everything you need to know about taking a car through the Channel Tunnel from the south of England to northern France.

The top 10 best road trips in the UK
The best road trips in the UK. From the North Coast 500 in Scotland to the Lake District and the Yorkshire Moors, try one of these top 10 roads in 2024.

E-scooter caught riding through 2-mile tunnel

Everything you need to know about the Silvertown Tunnel
The Silvertown Tunnel is a massive transport project coming to East London. Find out here to see when it will open and whether you'll have to pay to use it.
Popular in News
1
Car buyers to save thousands as EV grant returns
2
Private parking companies issue a record 14.4m tickets to drivers in a single year
3
Drivers fined £1m from just 36 yellow box junctions in 2024
4
Road deaths on the rise in Great Britain
5
Private parking industry urged to publish ‘full and transparent’ complaints and appeals data
6
Drivers now able to search for new home that comes with EV chargers
7
Leicester’s Sean Kimberlin named as RAC Mobile Mechanic of the Year
8
Number of drivers caught using unroadworthy vehicles jumps by 52% in a year
9
Warning to drivers across the UK over fake parking apps
10