Highways England has launched a consultation on revised plans for the £1.6 billion A303 Stonehenge upgrade scheme.

Previous designs for the project have been adjusted following a consultation with the public earlier this year.

The changes, which aim to further enhance the famous landscape and reconnect the two halves of the 6,500-acre World Heritage site (WHS), include;

• removing the previously proposed link between Byways 11 and 12 in the Stonehenge WHS to avoid affecting the setting of the Normanton Down barrow group and tranquillity of the site in this area

• widening the green bridge proposed near the existing Longbarrow roundabout to improve the physical and visual connection between the northern and southern parts of the WHS

• moving the proposed modification of Rollestone crossroads to provide a more compact layout


More than 5,000 responses to consultation have so far been received on the project, which aims to improve the A303 route past Stonehenge between Amesbury and Berwick Down by developing a tunnel at least 1.8-miles long, a free-flowing dual carriageway and a new bypass north of Winterbourne Stoke.

Derek Parody, Highways England Project Director for the A303 Stonehenge scheme, said: "We had a great response to our earlier consultation and have acted on the feedback. We now want to get people's views on our proposed changes to our original consultation.

"The further feedback we get will allow us to make sure we have got the best scheme before we make our application later this year to build the scheme.

"Meanwhile we continue to work with heritage groups including Historic England, English Heritage, the National Trust, and experts in the field, including the Stonehenge Scientific Committee - a body of leading independent archaeologists - to ensure a new route is built sensitively to the World Heritage site."

To take part in the consultation, which will run from 17 July until 14 August, visit here.

During the consultation, Highways England will also clarify its public rights of way proposals accompanying the scheme, which will help people explore and enjoy the World Heritage site and enable them to walk or cycle unobstructed between Amesbury and Winterbourne Stoke.

(LM/MH)