UK Government Approves Controversial Stonehenge Road Tunnel

The UK government has approved a £1.7 billion (€2 billion) plan to build a dual-carriageway tunnel under the Stonehenge UNESCO World Heritage site in Wiltshire, England. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps gave the green light despite widespread opposition from archaeologists, Druids, and heritage groups. The 3.2 km tunnel will replace the congested A303 road that currently runs within 150 meters of the Neolithic monument, aiming to reduce traffic noise and reunite the stone circle with its prehistoric landscape. English Heritage CEO Kate Mavor supported the project, stating it will help future generations appreciate the wonder. Highways England claims the tunnel will restore the landscape to its original setting and speed up travel to southwest England. However, opponents including the Stonehenge Alliance (which has gathered 125,000 signatures against the plan) and archaeologist David Jacques of the Blick Mead project call the decision "incredibly stupid" and an "international scandal." Druid leader Arthur Pendragon has vowed to lie down in front of bulldozers to stop construction, which could begin in 2023. The tunnel will be built 200 meters from the stones, and the project involves collaboration with English Heritage, National Trust, Historic England, and the independent A303 Scientific Committee. Stonehenge attracted 1.6 million visitors last year.