Public cost of abandoned Stonehenge tunnel project nears £180m

The public expenditure associated with the abandoned road tunnel project near Stonehenge has escalated to nearly £180m. Information obtained by BBC South through a Freedom of Information Act request indicates that the expenses are expected to keep growing as the project’s closure process proceeds. The initiative to construct a dual carriageway tunnel for the A303 beneath the World Heritage Site on Salisbury Plain was terminated by the Labour government shortly after the General Election last summer. This undertaking had been projected to cost a minimum of £2bn and involved a decade of preparatory work. This project, intended to alleviate one of the United Kingdom’s most significant traffic congestion points, had experienced a two-year delay due to multiple legal challenges from opposing parties. National Highways reported that by the close of October 2024, the expenditure amounted to £179.2m. This sum encompassed preliminary activities such as public engagement, geological and site assessments, archaeological preservation efforts, and addressing legal objections. BBC South inquired about potential compensation payments to the international consortium of tunnel contractors for work that was discontinued. National Highways stated in response: “Whilst the Main Works Contract had been started at the time of cancellation, the contractors were in their mobilisation phase and there are no penalty payments related to stopping the contract.” The agency further commented: “National Highways is liable to pay for reasonable costs and these are being considered. A number of other contracts were also in place and any compensation claims are being considered in accordance with contract provisions.” It also noted that “these activities take time” and the ultimate cost associated with the project’s termination remains undetermined. Land designated as farmland situated to the west of Stonehenge was in the process of being acquired for the development of a bypass around the community of Winterbourne Stoke. The government had not proposed any measures to alleviate the anticipated increase in traffic on alternative routes, or ‘rat-runs,’ passing through nearby villages, which drivers utilize to circumvent significant queues on the single-carriageway A303. Meanwhile, Stonehenge is getting ready for its winter solstice celebrations this Friday, with the ancient landmark welcoming thousands of participants from dawn on 21 December, marking the year’s shortest day. For updates, follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story suggestions can be submitted via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for material found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external links is available.