HERITAGE experts say an A303 bypass around Stonehenge would have less impact on the landscape than a tunnel.

A UNESCO report examining routes ruled out by Highways England said the two tunnel options would cause "considerable damage" to the archaeology, landscape and setting of the World Heritage Site.

It recommends a surface route previously rejected by Highways England instead of either of the tunnel options.

Its preferred route would run between Berwick St James and Winterbourne Stoke, then south of Stonehenge and Boscombe Down, before joining the current A303 east of Amesbury.

The UNESCO report said too little consideration was being given to the views of archaeologists and the general public.

Andy Rhind-Tutt, President of Salisbury Chamber of Commerce, said: "An amended Southern bypass route could bring the A303 south around Salisbury and connect every principal road to it. It would provide access to Amesbury, Boscombe Down, Porton Down, the A30, A36, A338, A354, Salisbury Hospital, Churchfields, Salisbury Railway Station, Wilton, Wilton Parkway, three of the park and ride sites and Stonehenge itself; without entering the World Heritage Site or significantly disturbing any villages along the way. The revised route would not cost anywhere near the build or running costs of a tunnel."

Chris Todd from the Campaign for Better Transport, said a short tunnel would do "more harm than good".

He said: "This is a real setback for Highways England and should be the final nail in the coffin for this controversial and highly damaging road scheme."

In a joint statement, the National Trust, English Heritage and Historic England said: “We’re disappointed that the report largely ignores both the benefits of removing a large stretch of the A303 and the danger of doing nothing at all."

Highways England said a bypass outside the World Heritage Site would have "a number of significant disadvantages" on the environment and local communities, impacting on a "high quality, unspoilt landscape".

It said: "Any route would involve a new high level crossing of the Woodford Valley and the River Avon.

"This valley has a number of attractive villages which straddle the banks of the River Avon and has a number of conservation areas and many listed buildings. The Avon also has protected status as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)."

UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.