I had been hoping to spend yesterday away from Westminster with the various stakeholders taking part in the A303 feasibility study but, sadly, the Whips have decreed otherwise.

However, that has not stopped me continuing to lobby ministers and the Secretary of State hard and engaging with the heritage community, whose expert advice will rightly weigh heavy on the decision-makers.

With that in mind, I am looking forward to walking the site with the National Trust in the near future, as well as to meeting with representatives of the Stonehenge Alliance.

I am mindful of the recurring saga of this stretch of road but I will not lose sight of the fact that circumstances have changed.

I am proud and encouraged that, following my A303 debate, there was a frank acknowledgement from the government of the long-term need for investment in the road network around Stonehenge in order to unlock the long-term benefits associated with reduced travel times for business people and tourists.

There is greater consensus than ever before on what needs to be done and it is vital that the final solution embraces both conservation concerns and the present and future needs of those who live along the A303.

The approach that brushed Stonehenge aside as “too difficult” has held sway for too long and it certainly doesn’t do justice to the people living in the area and experiencing traffic gridlock on a regular basis.

When I return to the constituency, my attention will turn once again to education.

The expansion of choice in Salisbury is welcome and we now boast a vibrant range of excellent schools and colleges.

I look forward to returning to The Trafalgar School soon, after their very successful and enjoyable presentation night and to visiting Wiltshire College to discuss how best to bring much-needed investment in their Salisbury campus buildings.