THE National Trust and English Heritage have given their blessing to a 2.9km tunnel under the world heritage site that surrounds Stonehenge.

They hope that with the A303 finally being bored under the landscape it will open up the other two thirds of the site to the public that it is currently inaccessible due to the heavily congested road.

With the Chancellor due to make an announcement next week the National Trust said:  “We are hopeful the Government will announce a major investment which will allow the creation of a world class solution for a world class site.”

The English Heritage and National Trust ruled out any duelling of the A303 that would bypass this site and have described the tunnel as the most feasible route.

Dr Nick Snashall, a National Trust archaeologist at Stonehenge, said: “At the moment one of the most important barrow sites, the Sun Barrow, is cut off from the rest of the world heritage site by the road.

“It holds archaeological importance due to the fact it is perfectly aligned with the setting sun at the winter solstice.

“Any 2.5 to 2.9km tunnel would go beyond this important barrow.”

A previous plan to build a 2.1km tunnel was rejected in 2007 amid a downturn in the economy and opposition that is was too short.

It was also going to be partly cut and covered which would have done some damage to the landscape where as the proposed route by the National Trust would be completely bored under the countryside.

Now it is hoped that the new tunnel will gain universal approval from politicians, residents, archaeologists and motorists.

Cassandra French, the senior project manager, said: “This is all part of the broader community vision to be getting more local people to enjoy this wonderful landscape.

“The length of the tunnel is not important but it is about getting the exit points right. We are currently at a moment in time. A lot of money is being invested and we have a brilliant opportunity to get this right.”