A authorized problem is about to begin with the intention of overturning the approval granted for a highway tunnel close to Stonehenge.
The Conservative authorities signed off on the eight-mile scheme to remodel the A303 and to date £160m has been spent regardless of groundwork having not but began.
Save Stonehenge World Heritage Web site, a conservation group, has tabled the authorized problem which is about to be heard this week after their final efforts have been rebuffed.
John Adams, from the group, instructed the BBC: “[Cancelling the project] would spare our worldwide blushes and rebuild this nation’s repute for taking care of its heritage.”
“I feel the present plan is proof of how lengthy infrastructure initiatives take beneath this authorities… we have got to alter that,” Sir Keir mentioned final 12 months, whereas in opposition.
“We’ll have to attend for the courtroom listening to, however then we’ll evaluate after that,” he added.
The tunnel has been mooted for the reason that Nineties however it might nonetheless by no means be constructed.
Why did the Conservative Authorities approve a tunnel at Stonehenge?
How the proposed A303 Stonehenge (Amesbury to Berwick Down) will look
Nationwide Highways
Highways England said that it meant to assemble the tunnel with the intention to shorten journey occasions and reduce site visitors on the A303.
It was tabled in 2013 and follows a failed proposal from 1995 and 2005.
The plan, which has the assist of Wiltshire Council, entails renovating eight miles of the principle route that connects south-west England and London.
The scheme was given the go forward in 2017 after which authorities approval in 2020.
Authorized challenges have continued within the meantime, which have delayed the beginning date, and the newest model was authorised by then transport secretary Mark Harper in 2023.
This might nonetheless now be contended with the authorized problem and alter in authorities.
Protestors have rallied towards the tunnel
Carl Court docket / Getty Photographs
Why has there been opposition to the tunnel?
Stonehenge may lose its World Heritage Web site classification fully and be added to the UN’s “in peril” listing if the tunnel mission proceeds, as beforehand cautioned by Unesco, the group accountable for safeguarding world cultural property.
Critics additionally argue it is going to be costly. The Authorities places the associated fee at £1.7bn, however the campaigners predict it is going to be £2.5bn.
Mr Harper said in a 64-page assertion that the mission’s “hurt on spatial, visible relations and settings is lower than substantial and ought to be weighed towards the general public advantages” and that he was “glad there’s a clear want” for the brand new tunnel.
He acknowledged that “he should give nice weight to the conservation” of the Unesco World Heritage Web site and acknowledged that “there will likely be hurt because of the event to cultural heritage and the historic atmosphere”.
