Skip to main content

Stonehenge tunnel controversy exacerbated by recent incident

The controversy surrounding the driving of a new road tunnel close to the UK’s Stonehenge monument has deepened following a recent incident. A 3m diameter hole was allegedly drilled through an important archeological find, a platform constructed of flint and animal bone, located close to the site Stonehenge. The platform is thought to have been erected some 6,000 years ago, making it older than Stonehenge itself, and preserves hoof prints made by aurochs, giant wild cattle that are now long extinct.
December 7, 2018 Read time: 2 mins

The controversy surrounding the driving of a new road tunnel close to the UK’s Stonehenge monument has deepened following a recent incident. A 3m diameter hole was allegedly drilled through an important archeological find, a platform constructed of flint and animal bone, located close to the site Stonehenge. The platform is thought to have been erected some 6,000 years ago, making it older than Stonehenge itself, and preserves hoof prints made by aurochs, giant wild cattle that are now long extinct.

The construction of the tunnel is a necessary project as the busy A303 route features just a single lane in either direction as it passes Stonehenge and the road is no longer fit for purpose. Traffic congestion are delays are frequent along this particular stretch of the A303 while there are serious concerns over safety. One of the biggest controversies surrounding the project however is that many believe the preferred route for the tunnel to be too short, risking damage to the historical site. There are also concerns that driving the new tunnel will affect the high water table in the area, potentially damaging other features of archeological importance.

Stonehenge is a 1384 Unesco world heritage site due to its historic importance.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • UK Government announcing new road widening programme
    November 11, 2014
    The UK Government looks set to announce a major programme of road widening and improvement work. In all some €19.1 billion (£15 billion) is planned to be invested in around 100 large road projects. One of the key projects planned is for a new tunnel on the A303, close to the famous Stonehenge site. The tunnel will measure up to 2.9km long and will carry four lanes of traffic past the Stonehenge site. This tunnel has been proposed and cancelled on a number of previous occasions and has long been recognised a
  • Penang’s PAN 1 project to go ahead amid environmental concerns
    April 17, 2019
    Malaysia’s Penang state has approved the PAN 1 Highway project but with conditions attached following an environmental impact study. Work could start next year on the 19.5km project – officially called the Pan Island Link 1 - that will likely cost around US$1.7 billion, according to a report in the newspaper Sundaily. The project will consist of 7.6km of viaducts, four tunnel sections totalling 10.1km in length and embankment sections totalling 1.8km. Penang Island, around 300km², is the main islan
  • Switzerland’s new tunnel bore being built
    April 19, 2018
    A major new road tunnel project is being constructed in Switzerland – Mike Woof writes Construction work is now underway in Switzerland for the new Belchen Tunnel bore, a project that has resulted from the country’s long-term infrastructure planning. The building of this latest tunnel is important for Switzerland economically as it will deliver an upgraded link for a major transport infrastructure connection. When it is complete, the tunnel will form part of the vital A2 route between Basel, in the north
  • Congestion vs. Construction: Controversial UK Tunnel Projects Unveiled
    August 2, 2023

    Join Mike Woof, editor of World Highways, as he delves into three contentious tunnel projects in the UK - the Stonehenge Bypass, the Silvertown Tunnel, and the Lower Thames Crossing. These projects aim to alleviate the long-standing traffic delays at the A303, Blackwall Tunnel, and Dartford Crossing.