The tunnel and new road near Stonehenge symbolizes two things: the government's efforts to help the economy of southwest England and the development of the tourism industry, writes the British newspaper The Guardian.
However, a bunch of people here are very worried about the last sentence. It is proposed to construct a 1.8-mile tunnel, including a new carriageway, with entry and exit inside the Stonehenge World Heritage Site.
After years of pending and canceling tunnel proposals (a similar plan was dropped in 2007), the latest scheme was presented by then Chancellor George Osborne in 2014.
Shortly thereafter, David Cameron and Nick Clegg hosted separate photo sessions at Stonehenge in an attempt to show the economic benefits of the tunnel and widen the road for local residents. Work is due to start in 2020.
The government is talking about an anticipated reduction in congestion, which has long affected this part of Wiltshire, and upgrades that "will make the A303 a high-quality, high-performance route."
English Heritage, which manages Stonehenge as a landmark, and the National Trust, which has a stake in Stonehenge thanks to 800 hectares of land, are in principle in favor of the plan.
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They talk about ending the spectacle of stones damaged by passing traffic and how renovating the existing A303 would mean rebuilding Stonehenge Avenue, the ancient route to the monument.
All of this may sound reasonable, but there are concerns about what the tunnel would mean, especially for archeology, at one of the most important prehistoric sites in the world. More than 20 famous archaeologists who know the area have announced their opposition to the government's plans. One of the most outspoken opponents is the classic historian, writer and radio host Tom Holland.
One of the more obvious arguments of opponents is that nearby is the resplendent archaeological site of Blick Mead, where recent finds shed light on life in the immediate aftermath of the Ice Age and explain why Stonehenge - even before the stones appeared - was a regular gathering place. people from all over Ancient Britain.
The International Council for the Conservation of Monuments and Sites, advising UNESCO on World Heritage, said the current project would have “significant negative and irreversible impacts” on the view of Stonehenge and that an alternative route, which would be required by the A303, through land owned by the Ministry of Defense, should be considered.