- National Highways identified 8 areas for improvement along the A303/A358 road corridor, including the section by Stonehenge.
Of the 8 schemes 3 have been funded: One scheme is in construction and the other two are in development, including A303 Stonehenge. Map National Highways 2023
- The National Audit Office said in 2019 that the benefits of the scheme could only be realised when all 8 schemes were completed. Funding, however, has only been secured for three projects.
- Thus the new section past Stonehenge would simply move traffic to the next jam a little faster, so long as there are no road works, traffic incidents, tunnel closures or diversions to delay the journey and the few minutes saved by the new dual carriageway.
- Inflation and spiralling construction costs will diminish the value of completing the remaining 5 schemes, a decision that would need to be carried forward to a future government that might have other priorities. (NAO progress report 2022)
Further reading
- National Audit Office, 2019: Improving the A303 between Amesbury and Berwick Down | Summary and Full report Assessment.
- Phil Goodwin (Slides, video and transcript) 24 June 2021: The transport case against Stonehenge scheme
- Phil Goodwin in Local Transport Today, November 2021: If you’re in a hole… it must be time to rethink Stonehenge scheme
- National Highways Presentation February 2016, Creating an Expressway to the South West
- Department for Transport, March 2015: A303/A30/A358 Corridor – Feasibility Study Summary
Take action!
Contribute here to Save Stonehenge WHS appeal, if you can
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