Green Light for Controversial Stonehenge Tunnel
The UK government has given the go-ahead for a heatedly debated road tunnel near Stonehenge. This £1.7 billion project, approved last Friday, comes two years after campaigners successfully overturned the original permission for the 3.3km tunnel that skirts the iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site.
£1.7 Billion Plan to Slash Southwest Congestion
The tunnel aims to ease traffic jams on a busy main road to southwest England, especially during holiday rushes. Initially signed off in 2020 by then Transport Minister Grant Shapps, experts warned the development could cause “permanent, irreversible harm” to the historic area.
Legal Drama and Fresh Approval
The High Court later quashed the original decision, focusing on legal technicalities rather than the project’s environmental impact. Now, current Transport Minister Mark Harper has given fresh approval in a detailed 64-page letter. He claims any damage to the site’s surroundings will be “less than substantial” compared to the clear public benefits.
UNESCO and Campaigners Sound Alarm
Despite the government’s backing, critics remain furious. Archaeologists and heritage campaigners warn that this massive engineering feat threatens priceless archaeological treasures around Stonehenge. UNESCO has issued a stark warning: if construction proceeds, the World Heritage status of Stonehenge itself could be at risk.
