By rosebell
Considering that Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that they have decisioned to decrease the country’s financial black hole created by the previous government’s £22bn overspend, the UK government has scrapped the controversial Stonehenge Tunnel.
Following a Treasury audit into the state of the public finances, the chancellor’s statement was published, whereas the Stonehenge Tunnel is one of several transport projects being cancelled, as Reeves explained “if we cannot afford it, we cannot do it.”
Including 12.9km of new dual carriageway, as well as a 3.2km tunnel, the A303 Stonehenge scheme encountered several legal challenges from campaigners opposed to it.
The initial date of awarding thi project was the 2020, while following a legal challenge over concerns about the environmental impact on the UNESCO World Heritage site, the decision was quashed by the High Court in 2021.
Although the Rishi Sunak’s government approved it again in July 2023 after it granted a Development Consent Order, the scheme was put on hold for a second time after another High Court challenge by campaigners in December.
In February, a judicial review dismissed the campaigners’ challenge but in May, the campaign group, Save Stonehenge World Heritage Site, was granted permission to appeal the outcome of the review.
The latest challenge was heard by the Court of Appeal earlier this month and the decision was due later.
The main works contract for the project was concluded by More JV, comprising FCC Construcción, WeBuild and BeMo Tunnelling, in October 2022. National Highways had also granted a £60m Delivery Assurance Partner contract to Costain and Mott MacDonald.
