BREAKING NEWS: Stonehenge A303 tunnel campaigners win court battle.

30 07 2021

High Court rules Transport Secretary Grant Shapps acted unlawfully when granting permission for the Stonehenge tunnel scheme.

  • Campaigners challenged Grant Shapps’ decision to approve controversial plans
  • He gave go-ahead in November despite concerns it would damage UNESCO site
  • But a judge said there was no impact assessment or alternative proposals 
  • The tunnel is part of a £27billion masterplan to improve the nation’s roads 
Campaigners have won a court battle to prevent the “scandalous” construction of a road tunnel near Stonehenge.

The £1.7bn Highways England project aims to reduce A303 congestion but campaigners said it would detrimentally affect the world heritage site.

The government approved plans in 2020 for a two-mile (3.2km) tunnel to be created near the Wiltshire monument.

Those opposed to the plans brought a judicial review on the basis the project had been approved unlawfully.

Highways England said it wanted to build the tunnel to reduce traffic and cut journey times on the A303, which is the most direct route for motorists travelling between the South East and South West and is used by thousands of people daily.

The SSWHS Judgement published today can be read on the Stonehenge Alliance website here

STONEHENGE TUNNEL CAMPAIGN IN THE NEWS:

Stonehenge tunnel campaigners win court battle – BBC News
Campaigners WIN High Court battle over ‘unlawful’ £1.7 billion two-mile Stonehenge tunnel project – Daily Mail
A303 Stonehenge tunnel scheme ‘unlawful’ High Court rules – Salisbury Journal
Campaigners win High Court victory over Stonehenge tunnel project – MSN
Stonehenge road and tunnel decision unlawful, rules judge – Leigh Day
High court victory for Stonehenge campaigners as tunnel is ruled unlawful – The Guardian
Stonehenge tunnel project blocked as campaigners win High Court battle – ITV

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Stonehenge’s UNESCO World Heritage Site status is under threat.

25 07 2021

Stonehenge could become the latest heritage site in the UK to lose its UNESCO status as a £1.7bn Government plan to build a new road and tunnel there could threaten its history, ministers have been told.

Stonehenge could be on the verge of losings its World Heritage status, if a planned £1.7bn road tunnel goes ahead.

The news comes just days after Liverpool was stripped of its Unesco status, one of just three places to have the ranking removed in almost 50 years.

The world’s most recognisable rock monument, near Salisbury, is expected to be next in line to face the axe from the UN-backed agency who are said to be considering placing it on its ‘in danger list’.

Stonehenge Avebury and Associated Sites was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Status in 1986, meaning has cultural, historical, or scientific value ‘considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.

Internationally, Stonehenge is revered as one of the wonders of the world and is viewed alongside global treasures including the Taj Mahal, Pyramids of Giza and Machu Piccu. 

STONEHENGE A303 TUNNEL NEWS:

Stonehenge may be next UK site to lose world heritage status – The Guardian
Stonehenge could lose world heritage status following Liverpool – The Independent
Stonehenge ‘could lose World Heritage status’ due to £1.7bn road tunnel plan – The Mirror
Stonehenge could be next to lose Unesco world heritage status due to £1.7bn tunnel – The Daily Mail
A303 Stonehenge Tunnel | Court case has begun to determine lawfulness of planning decision – Stonehenge News Blog
The Knotty Problem of the A303 and Stonehenge.- Stonehenge News Blog
The Stonehenge Tunnel Debate – the good, the bad, and the ugly – Stonehenge News Blog

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