The £1.7bn Stonehenge tunnel project faces renewed examination amid growing controversies.
- Keir Starmer has vowed to reassess the project following a pending legal review.
- Campaigners have secured the right to challenge the project’s progression in court.
- UN authorities threaten to label Stonehenge as a World Heritage site in danger due to the scheme.
- Concerns persist regarding the potential impact on the site’s historical value and environment.
The £1.7bn proposal for a tunnel near Stonehenge is once again under the spotlight as UN chiefs express concerns about its potential impact on the ancient site. Recently, Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, announced his intention to revisit the project, pending the outcome of a judicial review. The ongoing debate highlights a clash between developmental ambitions and conservation priorities.
Starmer articulated his perspective in a BBC interview, acknowledging the significant traffic issues currently plaguing Stonehenge. He criticised the existing government’s track record in executing infrastructure projects efficiently, yet he remains cautious to act before judicial proceedings conclude.
Campaigners have gained the right to bring their challenge against the project’s approval to court, which keeps the controversy alive. Initial government approval in 2020 has not deterred legal disputes, reflecting the scheme’s divisive nature among stakeholders. The project’s trajectory depends significantly on subsequent court rulings.
In a parallel development, UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention agenda lists a potential decision to classify Stonehenge as endangered, aiming to galvanise international aid and attention. This draft decision underscores the global concern about the United Kingdom’s responsibility to preserve its cultural landmarks amidst modernisation pressures.
Further exacerbating criticism, the proposed road scheme involves significant structural alterations, including a twin-bored tunnel and extensive cuttings, which UNESCO contends may irreversibly harm the site’s universal value. Despite attempts by the National Highways to placate these fears with minimal adjustments, they have met with scepticism rather than support.
John Adams, chair of the Stonehenge Alliance, vehemently criticised the National Highways’ approach, denouncing the mitigative measures as superficial. He employed a colourful metaphor to convey his scepticism, “You can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig.” Adams’s remarks capture the prevailing discontent surrounding the project.
The construction contract for this contentious project was awarded to a joint venture led by FCC Construcción, alongside WeBuild and BeMo Tunnelling, reflecting the international interest in the project’s execution. Nevertheless, the overarching legal and environmental challenges continue to cloud its future.
The Stonehenge tunnel project epitomises the ongoing tension between heritage conservation and infrastructural development in the UK.
