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| Stonehenge tunnel benefits 'uncertain' says Audit Office | Stonehenge tunnel benefits 'uncertain' says Audit Office |
| (2 days later) | |
| There are "risks and uncertainty" over a road tunnel near Stonehenge and its benefits are "inherently uncertain", a scrutiny body said. | There are "risks and uncertainty" over a road tunnel near Stonehenge and its benefits are "inherently uncertain", a scrutiny body said. |
| The government wants to build a tunnel past the monument as part of a £1.6bn plan to upgrade the A303. | The government wants to build a tunnel past the monument as part of a £1.6bn plan to upgrade the A303. |
| However, the National Audit Office (NAO) estimates the likely cost as £1.9bn, and says it "must deliver value for taxpayers". | However, the National Audit Office (NAO) estimates the likely cost as £1.9bn, and says it "must deliver value for taxpayers". |
| Highways England says the route will cut congestion and boost the economy. | |
| Work is due to begin in 2021 with an expected opening date of 2026. | Work is due to begin in 2021 with an expected opening date of 2026. |
| The NAO estimates the project will only deliver £1.15 in benefits for every £1 spent. | The NAO estimates the project will only deliver £1.15 in benefits for every £1 spent. |
| Auditor General Amyas Morse said: "The tunnel at Stonehenge is currently only just value for money by the department's own business case. | Auditor General Amyas Morse said: "The tunnel at Stonehenge is currently only just value for money by the department's own business case. |
| "Based on experience, project costs tend to grow rather than fall, at least in the early years. | "Based on experience, project costs tend to grow rather than fall, at least in the early years. |
| "It will take a very special effort by the department to protect public value up to completion." | "It will take a very special effort by the department to protect public value up to completion." |
| The NAO also warned the project poses "geological and archaeological risks", and said Highways England must ensure it can "support the project throughout its life". | The NAO also warned the project poses "geological and archaeological risks", and said Highways England must ensure it can "support the project throughout its life". |
| The government wants to build the tunnel to hide the busy A303, but opponents claim it could destroy archaeological treasures and scar the landscape. | The government wants to build the tunnel to hide the busy A303, but opponents claim it could destroy archaeological treasures and scar the landscape. |
| The International Council on Monuments and Sites (Icomos) described the plans as "severely flawed" while The Stonehenge Alliance - a campaign group which includes archaeologists and environmental campaigners - said the work threatened the area's "fragile archaeology". | The International Council on Monuments and Sites (Icomos) described the plans as "severely flawed" while The Stonehenge Alliance - a campaign group which includes archaeologists and environmental campaigners - said the work threatened the area's "fragile archaeology". |
| Highways England said the "vital route" would cut congestion and boost the economy, and would "restore the tranquil environment and setting of the monument". | Highways England said the "vital route" would cut congestion and boost the economy, and would "restore the tranquil environment and setting of the monument". |
| The Department for Transport said the road upgrade would "improve connections" with the rest of the country. | The Department for Transport said the road upgrade would "improve connections" with the rest of the country. |
| "Stonehenge is a site of significant historical value - we have worked closely with heritage groups, including English Heritage and Historic England, to ensure it is protected both during the upgrade of the A303 and in the long-term. | "Stonehenge is a site of significant historical value - we have worked closely with heritage groups, including English Heritage and Historic England, to ensure it is protected both during the upgrade of the A303 and in the long-term. |
| "Across the South West, we are investing £2 billion to improve roads, on top of £133 million for Bristol, North Somerset and Gloucester to introduce the MetroBus rapid public transport." | "Across the South West, we are investing £2 billion to improve roads, on top of £133 million for Bristol, North Somerset and Gloucester to introduce the MetroBus rapid public transport." |
| A public consultation into the scheme ended in April 2018. | A public consultation into the scheme ended in April 2018. |
| Highways England submitted a development consent order to the Planning Inspectorate in November. | Highways England submitted a development consent order to the Planning Inspectorate in November. |
| The agency has set a six-month timetable in order to examine the proposals. | The agency has set a six-month timetable in order to examine the proposals. |