Construction of a road tunnel beneath Stonehenge has moved a step closer after an Atkins / Arup joint venture was appointed as design consultant for a major improvement to the A303.

 

The Amesbury to Berwick Down project will unlock a pinch point on what is a key route between London and the South West for long distance commercial vehicles and holiday traffic.

 

The £17.5M contract with Highways England will see the joint venture develop options to take to public consultation and ultimately a preferred route for the scheme.

 

“Now we have Atkins and Arup on board to help with developing options for the scheme and pre-construction planning we will be able to take the next step towards making this scheme a reality,” said Highways England project manager Andrew Alcorn.

 

The project involves a bypass of the village of Winterbourne Stoke and is set to begin on site by April 2020, subject to statutory procedures.

 

Arup’s global highways business leader Tony Marshall said: “We are delighted to be a part of the team tasked with helping to relieve congestion and improving the setting of a world renowned heritage site.”

 

Atkins’ strategic highways market director Lesley Waud added: “This is a much needed scheme that will play a pivotal role in relieving congestion and improving journey times.”

 

Plans to take the A303 beneath Stonehenge have had a chequered history. In 2004 following a public enquiry the Inspector recommended a bored tunnel beneath the site. But costs rose and Ministers requested a review of the scheme.

 

The project was scrapped in 2007 but was resurrected again and featured in the Chancellor's Road Investment Strategy just over a year ago.

 

(Photo: Department for Transport)