Stonehenge dual carriageway traffic tunnel given green light

It is one of the UK’s most notorious traffic bottlenecks, right next to one of its most famous landmarks.

But Stonehenge’s congestion problems could be consigned to history after the government finalised plans for a tunnel to bypass the prehistoric monument.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has unveiled proposals for a 1.8mile dual carriageway tunnel to take the A303 past the World Heritage Site.

The road is currently a single carriageway that can get clogged up with motorists heading for South West – especially when they slow down to take a look at Stonehenge.

There is also the small matter of the 1.37 million visitors each year descending on the site.

Officials also claimed a tunnel would remove sight and sound of traffic for these visitors to the Wiltshire site, the Evening Standard reports. It is part of £2billion of investment in the South West. The scheme to tackle congestion was put forward by the Government in December 2014.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “This major investment in the South West will transform the A303 and benefit those locally by cutting congestion and improving journey times.

“It will also boost the economy, linking people with jobs and businesses with customers.”

In May, a report concluded a tunnel could be of benefit to the Stonehenge site if carried out well.

Jim O’Sullivan, chief executive of Highways England, said: “Our plans for the A303 recognise the national importance of the route and these improvements will bring real benefit to the region and local communities.”

A consultation will run until March 5, with the preferred route revealed this year.

Pictures from Rex