Wiltshire Council leader criticises government's halt of Stonehenge Tunnel project

The revocation of the development consent order (DCO) for the Stonehenge Tunnel project has been met with strong criticism from Wiltshire Council leader Ian Thorn.

The Government cancelled the DCO for the project, having halted it's progress on cost grounds in 2024, despite the scheme having already been approved and preliminary works between Salisbury and the A303 being carried out.

Cllr Thorn expressed his frustration over the government's decision, highlighting the absence of alternative solutions to address traffic issues on the A303 around Stonehenge.

Thorne described the situation as disastrous and an appalling waste of taxpayers' money, noting that around £170 million has already been spent.

"The fact that so much money has been spent getting us precisely nowhere is, I think, a disgrace, and something of absolutely monumental regret," he said.

The project was anticipated to stimulate growth along the A303 corridor from Wiltshire down to Exeter.

He also raised concerns about the negative impact on growth prospects and employment in the region due to the lack of movement on this infrastructure development.

He said: "It absolutely speaks against the government's policy and we'd love to know what the government are going to do to encourage growth in the south of Wiltshire."

Frustration shared by opposition leader

It's a sentiment shared by previous Council Leader, Richard Clewer, who leads Wiltshire's Conservatives.

He said the tunnel, while it may not have been the best solution, was the only one on the table and was ready to go, despite being expensive.

He insisted it would fix the traffic issues on the A303, which is regularly among the UK's top traffic locations during holiday periods.

Cllr Clewer added that the scheme was set to be the catalyst for growth, not only in Wiltshire, but across the South West.

He said: "The government came in saying they were pro-growth, that they wanted to get things done. It would have unlocked growth all the way down to Exeter.

"There were companies preparing to invest because they knew they were going to have an easier travel time to get to London, to get to the rest of the UK."

Concerns for Rural England

Cllr Thorn voiced more general concerns that rural parts of England, including Wiltshire, are being neglected.

He cited pressures on local farmers, challenges in grant funding conversations, and infrastructure issues that affect the British Army in the area as examples of the government's lack of support for rural communities.

The Council Leader emphasised the need for appropriate infrastructure to avoid military vehicles being stuck in queues due to road congestion.

Wiltshire Council's Response

Wiltshire Council has limited powers over the trunk road, which is managed by Highways England.

However, Cllr Thorn expressed a willingness to partner with national government to find a solution.

Despite these challenges, Wiltshire Council remains committed to contributing its resources alongside national efforts.

He lamented the absence of government initiative to discuss alternatives following the tunnel project cancellation.

Cllr Thorn assured that ongoing conversations with Highways England are focused on addressing challenges related to growth and local residents' convenience.

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