Highways England is set to press ahead with the procurement of a contractor to upgrade the A303 past Stonehenge despite a recent High Court ruling which overturned development consent for the scheme.
Join other savvy professionals just like you at CIHT. We are committed to fulfilling your professional development needs throughout your career
The strategic road network operator said plans for early works and archaeological fieldwork have been halted on the Amesbury to Berwick Down dualling project following the judgment but it will continue working to advance the procurement process in the coming months.
The court ruling at the end of July saw a judge agree with campaign group Save Stonehenge World Heritage Site that Transport Secretary Grant Shapps’ decision to approve the scheme – which includes a 3.2km road tunnel – was unlawful.
The Secretary of State did not properly assess the impact of the project on each heritage asset at the site and also made an error of law by failing to consider less damaging alternatives to the project, such as a longer tunnel, the court concluded.
A Department for Transport spokesman said: “We are disappointed in the judgment and are considering it carefully before deciding how to proceed.”
Highways England’s project manager for the Stonehenge scheme David Bullock commented: “We have to wait while the Department for Transport considers its options, and in the meantime we are continuing with the process to appoint a contractor for the main works phase of the scheme.
“The procurement process is very much live, to ensure we maintain programme timescales as best as possible.”
Three bids have been submitted to date for the tunnel and main works contract and a preferred bidder is expected to be announced in early 2022. Highways England is also procuring a ‘delivery assurance partner’ to support it in managing the main contract, with an award expected to be made later this year.
“We still believe our project is the best solution to the ongoing issues along the A303 past Stonehenge,” added David Bullock. “It has been developed after a long and extensive collaboration with our key stakeholders, and we are still very much motivated to leave a legacy beyond the road for Stonehenge, the World Heritage Site, our local communities and future generations.”
Archaeological and other preliminary works had been scheduled to start later this summer, while a temporary, three month closure of the nearby A360 to enable utilities work – planned to start in September – has also been postponed.
(Photograph: Highways England)
#StepForward
Propose a colleague who successfully becomes a CIHT member and you’ll be automatically be entered into our free monthly prize draw where one lucky winner will receive a £50 John Lewis Gift Card.
Join other savvy professionals just like you at CIHT. We are committed to fulfilling your professional development needs throughout your career
{{item.AuthorName}} {{item.AuthorName}} says on {{item.DateFormattedString}}: