DEVIZES MP Claire Perry has welcomed the Department for Transport's announcement that £15bn will be spent improving the UK’s strategic road network including a tunnel at Stonehenge.

Included is a £2bn commitment to upgrade all remaining sections of the A303 between the M3 and the A358 including a tunnel at Stonehenge. This will allow roads users to drive on a dual carriageway from London to within 15 miles of Land’s End.

Mrs Perry said: "The notorious delays at Stonehenge have both damaged our region’s economic potential and caused misery for many people living locally who have to use or cross the congested road.

"There are some outstanding concerns that will need to be carefully addressed, especially the impact on the archaeology of the World Heritage Site, but the work that is so desperately needed on this vital route will now go ahead.

“It is great news that as part of the biggest roads investment scheme for a generation, the A303 - one of the country’s most notorious traffic black spots - is to be dualled and a tunnel built to take the road past Stonehenge.

"Not only is this good for economic development in the South West, but the disruption caused for many of my constituents who suffer the misery of endless jams, or drivers taking short cuts, will be eased by this investment.

"It is great to see a Government committed to infrastructure investment across the country and to finally see our area benefiting from this spending.”

This announcement marks the start of detailed design work and an application for planning approval.