A303 upgrade at Stonehenge under review (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

A303 upgrade at Stonehenge under review

A TIMETABLE is to be announced for the detailed review of plans to upgrade the A303 trunk road past Stonehenge.

The review was ordered in July by transport minister Stephen Ladyman, after escalating costs forced the government into a rethink over the proposed Stonehenge tunnel plan.

Now prime minister Tony Blair has written to Salisbury MP Robert Key, assuring him that an announcement of arrangements for the review, including a timetable, will be made in October.

Mr Key had written to the prime minister asking for "strong and decisive action" on the issue.

Mr Blair said: "I appreciate your frustration about the time it is taking to bring these plans to fruition.

"We had made very good progress in finding a way forward.

"Despite the wide range of views, the published A303 road improvement scheme commanded considerable support and received a positive recommendation from the inspector at public inquiry.

"However, in view of a substantial increase in cost estimates for the scheme, it is our duty to look closely again at alternative options, to ensure that value for money is achieved in delivering our objectives.

"It is for this reason Stephen Ladyman announced a detailed review of the options."

The prime minister added: "I realise that this is a disappointing development after the work invested so far in the proposed scheme.

"However, I am sure you will agree that a review is vital, to ensure that public money is used correctly. All the appropriate government departments and agencies are working closely together on this to achieve the best possible outcome."

Mr Key told the Journal this week that, within a month of Mr Blair's becoming prime minister in 1997, he raised Stonehenge with him at question time in the House of Commons and was given a pledge on action.

"Eight years on, he has given me another commitment," said Mr Key.

"This time, I hope No 10 will knock heads together and make a decision."

Last year, a costly three-month public inquiry into the Stonehenge road tunnel scheme was held in Salisbury and planning inspector Michael Ellison eventually recommended that it be built.

But it later emerged that the price tag had soared from about £200m to £470m.

Announcing the government rethink, Dr Ladyman said: "That works out at about £8 for every man, woman and child in the country, just for one road scheme.

"The government can't justify spending that kind of money. "The only way the tunnel can be built is if someone can dig it substantially cheaper - about half the cost."

The overall plan to upgrade the A303 includes a bypass for Winterbourne Stoke and a flyover at the Countess Road roundabout in Amesbury, with access to the proposed Stonehenge visitor centre.

These projects now hang in the balance but the minister said his department's review would consider all options.