Cycle path delayed as Stonehenge tunnel cancelled

The cycle scheme in Amesbury has been postponed

A new cycleway has been delayed after the A303 Stonehenge tunnel was cancelled.

Wiltshire Council said work on a cycle scheme at Countess Way in Amesbury had partially been funded by community benefits associated aith the A303 Stonehenge tunnel scheme.

The new cycleway is part of the Wiltshire Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), and part of a strategic route linking Salisbury and National Cycle Network 45 to Stonehenge.

Councillor Tamara Reay, cabinet member for transport, said: “We have taken the difficult decision to postpone our work on the cycle scheme at Countess Road in Amesbury, including the installation of the pedestrian toucan crossing."

Funding now uncertain

Active Travel England allocated funding for the design and construction of the pedestrian toucan crossing element of the scheme, with the additional funding being provided as part of the community benefits associated with the A303 Stonehenge tunnel scheme.

However, as the tunnel scheme has been cancelled, the council no longer has access to additional funding for the cycle scheme and so has decided to delay the installation of the toucan crossing at this stage, despite the funding for the crossing coming from a different source.

Ms Reay added: “We could install the toucan crossing now, but because the funding for the rest of the scheme is now uncertain – which is beyond our control – we cannot commit to it at this stage.

“We are reviewing all the local implications following the Government’s announcement and if funding does become available for this cycle path, we have a well-developed scheme ready to take forward once again.

“Following the cancellation of the A303 Stonehenge tunnel project, we are committed to working with our local partners in the area to find solutions to the congestion and rat running suffered by local communities.”