Labour has confirmed plans to axe a tunnel underneath the iconic Stonehenge site, despite spending a staggering £179million on the project.
The Department for Transport stated that "exceptional circumstances" led to the decision to revoke a development consent order (DCO) for the A303 scheme.
Original plans would have included a tunnel, two junctions and a northern bypass near the world heritage site.
While it was given planning permission in 2023, the Stonehenge scheme was scrapped in 2024 after financial issues, despite having £179.2million spent on it already.
The decision to revoke the DCO has put the final nail in the coffin for the scheme, which has proved controversial with campaigners since proposals were put forward.
The Department for Transport explained that Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander had made the decision following a "substantial change in the scheme's deliverability".
Changes have been made since the DCO was first awarded, resulting in the DfT deciding that it "no longer aligns with current strategic policy objectives".
It added that the scrapped plans will now give way to alternative development and infrastructure plans to be introduced.
The proposed A303 Stonehenge tunnel cost almost £180million before being scrapped
|NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
Martin Smith, member of Wiltshire Council responsible for highways, streetscene and flooding, described it as a "huge blow" for the area.
The Lib Dem councillor for Sherston added: "We are extremely disappointed that the government has decided to revoke the DCO for the A303 Stonehenge tunnel.
"There has not been any discussion on a viable alternative that reduces congestion and stops the rat‑running through Wiltshire villages."
Despite this, campaigners from Stonehenge Alliance welcomed the decision to axe the project, saying it was the conclusion to a decade-long struggle.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
National Highways discovered a number of archaeological finds during the A303 project
|NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
Mike Birkin, acting chairman of the campaign group, said the project would have caused "enormous damage" to the Stonehenge World Heritage Site.
"The WHS is a designation of an entire landscape that is full of prehistoric monuments of incalculable value," Mr Birkin said.
The campaigner highlighted that the scrapped scheme could contribute to improved rail services to serve communities across the South West.
He added: "The scheme was condemned by planning inspectors as well as UNESCO's experts, yet the Government at the time rode roughshod over the evidence."
The A303 Stonehenge tunnel was scrapped in July 2024
| PASpeaking last year, council leader Ian Thorne said the revocation of the DCO for the A303 project would be "completely unacceptable".
He continued, saying: "This proposal disregards years of planning, consultation and investment, and throws away a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve one of the region's most vital transport corridors.
"This is not just a setback - it's a complete step backwards for a region that is severely lacking in Government investment compared to other parts of the country.
"Wiltshire deserves better, the South West deserves better, and we will continue to fight for the infrastructure our communities need and deserve."