Government revokes Stonehenge tunnel consent, ending scheme

The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed it has withdrawn the Development Consent Order (DCO) for the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down project, which included a proposed tunnel beneath the Stonehenge World Heritage Site, two new junctions and a bypass.

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The decision means the scheme can no longer proceed, and any future attempt to revive it would require a completely new planning application and approval process.

In a statement accompanying the revocation, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the project “no longer aligns with current strategic policy objectives,” reflecting a shift in government priorities.

The scheme, first proposed in the 1990s, aimed to address congestion on the A303 by placing part of the road in a tunnel to reduce traffic impact near the prehistoric monument. Supporters argued it would improve journey times and the setting of the site, while critics raised concerns about potential damage to the surrounding archaeological landscape.

Planning consent for the project was granted most recently in 2023 following earlier legal challenges, but it was paused in 2024 amid rising costs, estimated at up to £1.4bn–£1.7bn.

According to DfT information and industry reporting, the revocation reflects broader concerns over affordability and policy alignment, with ministers indicating that major road schemes must demonstrate value for money and meet environmental and cultural considerations.

Around £179m had already been spent on the project prior to its cancellation.

The DfT said removing the consent would also lift planning restrictions on the land, allowing alternative proposals to come forward in future.

The decision follows years of debate over the future of the A303 corridor, with local stakeholders highlighting ongoing congestion issues, while heritage organisations and international bodies had repeatedly expressed concerns about the potential impact on the Stonehenge landscape.