Stonehenge could be ‘in danger’ over new tunnel plans

Stonehenge could be placed on a list of world heritage sites deemed to be in danger over plans to build a tunnel under the protected site.

There are plans to expand the A303 road which runs past the ancient monument and to dig a tunnel through the surrounding landscape, which also forms part of the protected site.

Unesco has warned it now may be “in danger” over concerns the tunnel could “compromise the integrity” of the Neolithic site, and the heritage body has drafted plans to put it on a list of threatened monuments.

This would put the Wiltshire landmark in the same category of historic sites as those in Syria, Afghanistan and Libya.

Unesco has urged the UK government to stop the road and tunnel plans, which have been backed by Highways England and English Heritage as a means to ease local traffic congestion.

A draft written decision from Unesco, which delegates will vote on in July, proposes to “inscribe Stonehenge…  on the List of World Heritage in Danger with a view to mobilising international support”.

Unesco has asked that the UK government intervene to push for either the “discontinuation” of the tunnel scheme or its “modification” to ensure the site is protected.

Historic monument

Wooden monuments were erected at the site from around 8,500BC, and the distinctive stone circle was constructed in stages over several hundred years up to around 2,500BC.

The landscape was cut with procession routes and other circles, and some fears cutting a road tunnel into the would devastate a potential wealth of archaeology beneath the surface.

Initial plans were ruled “unlawful” by the High Court in 2021, but there has been a renewed push for the scheme, which was approved by the Department for Transport in 2023.

‘Absolute embarrassment’

Tom Holland, the historian and co-host of the Rest is History podcast, has branded the threat to Stonehenge outlined by Unesco “an absolute embarrassment to the country”.

He added the issue was “something an incoming government could very easily set right”

In 2021, Liverpool was stripped of its Unesco World Heritage status because of “completely unacceptable” development including Everton’s planned £500 million stadium.

Historic quarters boasting buildings like the Royal Liver Building were removed from the World Heritage list after 17 years following repeated warnings from Unesco.