Major plans to transform the A303 as part of a £2 billion
investment in the south-west, which will see the construction of
a tunnel at the historic Stonehenge site, have today (12 January
2016) been unveiled by Transport Secretary .
The upgrade will develop the A303 corridor into a high quality,
high performing route linking the M3 in the south-east and the M5
in the south-west, improving journeys for millions of people.
Secretary of State for Transport said:
This government is taking the big decisions for Britain’s
future, underlined by our record £15 billion funding for road
schemes.
This major investment in the south-west will transform the A303
and benefit those locally by cutting congestion and improving
journey times. It will also boost the economy, linking people
with jobs and businesses with customers - driving forward our
agenda to build a country that works for everyone and not just
the privileged few.
Drivers, hauliers, residents and other road users are being
invited to have their say on the proposal to upgrade a seven-mile
single carriageway stretch of the A303 near Stonehenge in
Wiltshire into a dual carriageway.
The single carriageway section of the A303 currently runs
alongside the stones and the proposed option is to construct a
1.8 mile dual carriageway tunnel to improve journey times, remove
the sight and sound of traffic and enhance the world heritage
site.
The 2014 Road investment
strategy committed to upgrading all remaining sections
of the A303 between the M3 and M5 to dual carriageway standard,
starting with 3 schemes:
- at Stonehenge
- between Sparkford and Ilchester
- between Taunton and Southfields
Highways England Chief Executive Jim O’Sullivan said:
We are delivering the biggest investment programme in our roads
in a generation.
Our plans for the A303 recognise the national importance of the
route and these improvements will bring real benefit to the
region and local communities.
The public exhibitions will provide an excellent opportunity to
explain further our plans and to hear feedback from
stakeholders on our proposals to deliver the scheme.
The Stonehenge
consultation launches on 12 January and will offer the
public the chance to view the proposals and meet the project
team. Public consultation for the latter 2 projects will follow
in due course.
The Stonehenge scheme proposals also include a bypass for the
village of Winterbourne Stoke and improvements to existing
junctions between the A303 and the intersecting A345 and A360
north-south roads.
The consultation runs between 12 January and 5 March. Following
the consultation the preferred route will be announced later in
2017 and is subject to the completion of statutory procedures for
development consent.
Public exhibitions will be staged at the following locations:
- The Manor Barn, Manor House, Winterbourne Stoke on Saturday,
14 January (11am-5pm)
- Antrobus House, Amesbury, on Wednesday, 18 January (2pm-8pm)
- Shrewton Village Hall, The Hollow, Shrewton, on Friday, 20
January (5pm-9pm)
- Avon Valley College, Recreation Road, Durrington, on Saturday
21 January (11am-5pm)
- Larkhill Primary School, Wilson Road, Larkhill, Tuesday, 24
January (5pm-9pm)
- The Manor Barn, Manor House, Winterbourne Stoke on Friday, 27
January (2pm-8pm)
- Salisbury Guildhall, The Market Place, Salisbury, on Saturday
28 January (11am-5pm)
- Grove Hall, Church Street, Mere, near Warminster, on Saturday
4 February (11am-5pm)
- Society of Antiquaries, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London,
on Monday 6 February (2pm-8pm)
- Antrobus House, Amesbury, Wednesday, 8 February (2pm-8pm)
Following the consultation, the preferred route will be announced
later in 2017.
