Wessex Partnership leaders condemn Government plans to revoke Stonehenge Tunnel consent

Wednesday, 12 November 2025 14:55

The leaders of the Wessex Partnership have expressed their concern and disappointment at the Government’s proposal to revoke the Development Consent Order (DCO) for the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down Stonehenge Tunnel scheme.

The four council leaders have serious concerns about what the cancellation would mean for the whole Wessex region, its economic development and for future investment into the area, and that this reflects a broader trend of our region being left behind in major strategic investment decisions that are inhibiting economic growth.

The Government halted the project in July 2024, but the DCO has remained in place following its approval by the previous Government in 2023.

The Department for Transport has now published a draft revoking order, with representations invited until 21 November. If confirmed, the revocation would mean that if the project was ever revived the entire approval process, which has taken years to achieve, would have to restart from the beginning.

In a joint statement, the leaders of Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and BCP Councils, Cllr Nick Ireland, Cllr Bill Revans, Cllr Ian Thorn and Cllr Millie Earl respectively, said: “Revoking the DCO for the A303 Stonehenge Tunnel is a damaging and short-sighted decision that disregards years of planning, consultation and investment. This is a major step backwards for the Wessex area and beyond.

“Wessex and the wider region needs infrastructure investment to unlock our strategic growth ambitions in key sectors that are nationally important, improve connectivity and support communities. The A303 is a vital strategic corridor and this scheme represented a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address congestion, improve safety, protect heritage and deliver environmental benefits as part of our wider connectivity requirements to unlock our potential.

“This proposal reinforces the imbalance in Government investment that we see here in Wessex and undermines confidence in long-term planning. We urge the Government to reconsider and work with us on a solution that delivers for our region that will deliver growth.”

In July, the Wessex Partnership leaders confirmed their joint commitment to a series of cross-regional projects to push forward devolution and the creation of a Mayoral Strategic Authority for Wessex. The proposals include a joint growth plan, plans for regional infrastructure and a Wessex Local Nature Recovery Strategy.