Our press releases are published here.  This page covers news relevant to our campaign from 2014 to 2022.  We only publish news coverage on this page occasionally.  We try to publish as many relevant news items as we can on our social media platforms.  Please visit our Facebook page, X [Twitter] account and Instagram.


2024

February

19th – New Civil Engineer Stonehenge Tunnel |  Judge quashes legal challenge against DCO decision

2022

June

”The secrets of Stonehenge could be locked for ever” Financial Times jpeg

May

2021

November

May

January

2020

December

NOTE: Critical commentary on Highways England's Fact-checker
NOTE: Image of Chilterns tunnel start

November 

NOTE: Controversy continued on social media for several weeks

October 

NOTE: “Mrs Justice Lang ruled against Transport Action Network in today’s hearing. The campaign group called the decision “disappointing” saying that “we were not successful in expanding our grounds but we live to fight another day and our main challenge remains on track.”

September

NOTE: National Trust YouTube film shows view from King Barrow Ridge of A303 with fast-moving traffic over 24 hrs
NOTE: Thread of tweets by Dan Hicks regarding National Trust Staff cuts

August 

July

June 

May

April

March

NOTE: Mentions A303 Stonehenge even though no decision has been announced by the Transport Secretary
NOTE: "The £2bn A303 Stonehenge tunnel is another project which failed the usual Treasury value-for-money test."
NOTE: “People in the UK need to shift from cars to public transport to address the challenge of climate change,” announced Grant Shapps today. "We will use our cars less and be able to rely on a convenient, cost-effective and coherent public transport network." Consultation Document (16 March–22 May): Future of Transport Regulatory Review Call for Evidence: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/886686/future-of-transport-regulatory-review-call-for-evidence.pdf

February 

NOTE: For judgement see: [to come]

January 

NOTE: Concerning cost overruns, poor value for money, international commitments and climate change.  Copied to MPS, UNESCO and others.
  • Major UK contractors snub Stonehenge tunnel as JVS revealed  – New Civil Engineer

November

October

4 Oct. NCE article: https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/stonehenge-tunnel-examination-draws-to-a-close-04-10-2019/?fbclid=IwAR3yxxGQ66PQnJEwt8NfvWXiyHJZwrzmTc3S7q99CFia6U8gpiLNQ2WyeEU

7 October. Transport Action Network (TAN) post “Hanging in the Balance”. Includes photo of demo outside Soc Ants. https://transportactionnetwork.org.uk/2019/10/07/hanging-in-the-balance/?fbclid=IwAR2SFM3bl2FNxfJjlrlTP_-vuZjWMA0NzfcNj2GM9gCSJibxpSBfr2PmAxY [TAN replaces CfBT on the Alliance.]

21 Oct. Heritage Jnl. item: “The CBA, British Archaeology Magazine and Stonehenge: what’s going on?” (No mention of CBA part in Examination.): https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2019/10/21/the-cba-british-archaeology-magazine-and-stonehenge-whats-going-on/?fbclid=IwAR30hAdWI1yMFEDdTpU8f1fhjfPTWTlj21VNfmUgIh2BIqAT07wP3X_iHVA

29 Oct. Article in Wilts Times re further work for scheme (Countess): https://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/18000993.drivers-advised-plan-ahead-next-phase-a303-stonehenge-survey-work/

September

7 Sept. Tom Holland in Guardian Opinion piece: “https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/07/why-ruin-stonehenge-to-shave-a-few-seconds-off-a-car-trip?fbclid=IwAR1t3OyaXgZoJZ5mIswf589eAUSvhV3EVGQP1r-I8wbW5umZ1K7Ec2XeCY0

9 Sept. Dominc Browne, “Treasury promises 2019 answer on delayed Stonehenge and Lower Thames funding”: https://www.highwaysmagazine.co.uk/Treasury-promises-2019-answer-on-delayed-Stonehenge-and-Lower-Thames-funding/5141?fbclid=IwAR0jyimKV6KE8_dDgS9Tg2Nk5syayDigEpLxiznipArqNk9Od7naYHfwPpw

PQs asked by Vicky Foxcroft MP:

  1. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made an assessment of the potential for damage to the Stonehenge World Heritage Siteof improving the A303 between Amesbury and Berwick Down.

Ans. George Freeman Minister for Transport:

    • Highways England‘s proposals for improving the A303 between Amesbury and Berwick Down have been fully assessed. This includes extensive archaeological studies and assessments to provide evidence of the benefits that the scheme would deliver for the World Heritage Site.
    • The scheme proposals are currently being examined by a panel of independent planning inspectors. They will report their findings and recommendations to the Secretary of State before he makes a decision on whether to grant development consent.
  1. To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the estimated cost is of the A303Stonehenge improvement scheme.

Ans. The estimated cost is £1.7 billion (or £1.92 billion including VAT).

12 Sept. NT launch: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/peoples-landscapes-explore-the-places-that-have-shaped-the-nation. S&A WHS not mentioned.

16 Sept. Destruction of ancient woodland along line of HS2 stopped. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/sep/16/clearance-of-ancient-woodlands-for-hs2-to-be-halted-until-review.

19 Sept. Heritage Jnl piece: “Stonehenge tunnel: PM visits Wiltshire, sets own pants on fire”: After Brexit, when we’re “free of cumbersome procurement processes”, the Stonehenge tunnel may well prove to be cheaper to build! https://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2019/09/20/stonehenge-tunnel-pm-visits-wiltshire-sets-own-pants-on-fire/?fbclid=IwAR2AAV05h6YPtIWUAMMriHaLn6yAI0nZLW1dz1v4mqFw2P87h4S0Lk2M3gk

August

9 August. Amesbury History Centre to close for rebuild: https://www.facebook.com/notes/amesbury-history-centre/amesbury-history-centre-rebuild/2274826982759145/

12 Aug. NT announces https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/peoples-landscapes-explore-the-places-that-have-shaped-the-nation. Tales of passion and protest.

 19 August. “Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledges to ‘level up A303’ as he visits the south west today”: Somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/prime-minister-boris-johnson-pledges-3225158?fbclid=IwAR2NPVSrMoLGh5znmfeU8NFsnVsEMQZ3dsXM5oJ8nKuBAjWlEsfyEdFdCTs

22 Aug. WDP article: ”Tunnel could cost Stonehenge its place on WH List”

July

3 July. Article in The Construction Index: “MPs [PAC] warn that funding delay threatens Stonehenge tunnel”: https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/mps-warn-that-funding-delay-threatens-stonehenge-tunnel?fbclid=IwAR2OzNblCiB-Nus1WpEoAXXqmmNubYaukm7zionwrf1yeHEt-Y97llAYD4Y

Public Accts Cttee report says If uncertainty about funding is not resolved before 2020, the timetable and viability of Stonehenge tunnel project will be put at risk.” [and other criticisms of scheme.] https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/public-accounts-committee/news-parliament-2017/transport-infrastructure-south-west-report-published-17-19/?fbclid=IwAR3UiwQ55oPFgRls72NW6BcsJ_jPRhl7T6nBqj1comeE2mShNkQrXY9nbZY. See also: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmpubacc/1753/175303.htm

4 July. “UNESCO WH Cttee condemns A303 Stonehenge tunnel scheme”: SA press release: https://stonehengealliance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-07-04-media-update-002.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1ISWcl_n0BV87KtmJ_maIyIUAhHdY9eCE0QpMsMAQJdI5L1sixOc2V9Ao

UNESCO condemns tunnel plan – BBC  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-48871358?fbclid=IwAR2fa_GFYkK2hDkgBjoWCmWTruD6N8vd5GUyP17ql3CBNce9M_cp9lJPHyo

5 July. WH Watch Report 2019 published: KFie article on A303 Stonehenge, “Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites WHS Still Under Threat of Road Construction”, Item 138, pp. 140ff. https://world-heritage-watch.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/World-Heritage-Watch-Report-2019.pdf

8 July. NCE article: “’No time for new Stonehenge Tunnel funding model’, says Highways England boss”:

https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/no-time-new-stonehenge-tunnel-funding-model-says-highways-england-boss-08-07-2019/?fbclid=IwAR0TWKnUGffFDmN64yr1L3y8_Ri7lDDXHlyH2xTnpgq28Y3Xa8sOtfmFVcs

10 July. Daily Telegraph article by Simon de Bruxelles: “Tunnel could bury treasures of Stonehenge”. Refers to Mike PP giving evidence at Examination re topsoil sampling proposals.

15 July. “Bidding opens for £1.2bn Stonehenge tunnel contract”, The Construction Index:

https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/bidding-opens-for-12bn-stonehenge-tunnel-contract?fbclid=IwAR2ldCyX1Oo-5hlHLLospIUsQVdENG_z9l0x1nh4yayF18-Du7HNhVAYXfA.

Jordan Marshall: https://www.building.co.uk/news/mps-ignored-as-17bn-stonehenge-tunnel-procurement-kicks-off/5100635.article

17 July. YouTube video of foundation of UNESCO includes Stonehenge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE6ma1NrAqM&fbclid=IwAR2y5WVkg29z5K2_NF_ylkJh85jk6b9WbkkjgljwSsVEQpi3SKvW_gVddds

June

May

April

February

January

2018

Work in progress

December

November

October

September

August

July

June

May

April  

March 

February

January

2017

Work in progress

December

November

October

September

August

July

June

April

March

February

January

2016

December

November

October

September

May

April

March

February

January

2015

December

November

October

September

August

NOTE: Kate Fielden incorrectly quoted.  ​A campaign for a longer road tunnel past Stonehenge is being supported by a 17,500-​signature petition.  A £2bn proposal, which includes a 1.8-mile (2.9 km) tunnel, was ​announced by the government in December, aimed at easing congestion on the nearby ​A303.However, the Stonehenge Alliance said anything shorter than a 2.7-mile (4.3 km) ​tunnel would cause "irreparable damage to the landscape". Campaigner Kate Fielden said ​the proposed facility was "far too short".She said the World Heritage site covered "a huge ​archaeological landscape" and there was an "obligation" for the government to protect ​it. English Heritage and the National Trust have also given their support to the option of ​"the longest tunnel possible". The Department for Transport (DfT) said a public ​consultation into its plans could take place in 2017.Transport Minister Andrew Jones ​described it as "an ambitious scheme" and said: "We need to do much more work ​consulting with local groups and local councils to get this right. "The Stonehenge Alliance ​said it planned to present the petition to Transport Secretary Patrick Loughlin and Culture ​Minister Ed Vaizey.

July

April

March

February

January

2014

December

November

October

September

Pre current campaign

Media coverage prior to 2014 has been archived and can be found on the original campaign website Save Stonehenge .

2009

Obituary: Stonehenge Alliance co-founder – 12 May Lord Kennet, Wayland Young – Guardian

2000

The Stonehenge Saga (from the campaign beginnings up to 2000) – by Wayland and  Liz Young, Lord and  Lady Kennet

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