REVISED plans for major improvements on the A303 near Stonehenge will go on show next week.

Highways England have developed the design for the £1.6 billion scheme since the preferred route was announced in September last year, and the details will be unveiled when the latest public consultation is launched on February 8.

Following public consultation earlier in 2017 and further engagement with local communities, heritage groups, archaeologists, historians and engineers, Highways England modified the plans, including moving the position of one of the entrances to the tunnel to avoid conflicting with the solstice alignment.

The A303 Stonehenge upgrade, is set to include a tunnel at least 1.8 miles long, a free-flowing dual carriageway and a bypass north of Winterbourne Stoke.

Highways England says the Stonehenge tunnel will also remove the traffic blight on local communities and enhance the famous landmark.

It will reconnect the two halves of the 6,500-acre World Heritage site, which is currently split by the road, and remove the sight and sound of traffic from the Stonehenge landscape.

Derek Parody, Highways England project director for the A303 Stonehenge scheme, said: “The Stonehenge upgrade, along with the other two initial A303 Corridor schemes, will enable growth in jobs and housing by providing a free-flowing and reliable connection between the South East and the South West.

“We have incorporated contributions from all the previous consultation to create the details of the proposed scheme. We are currently working with stakeholders, carrying out further surveys, and using assessments to help us refine the design.

“This is an opportunity for everyone to give their views on our proposals and we would like as much feedback as possible, from all interested parties. Feedback from the consultation will allow us to make sure we have got the best scheme, or highlight where we still need to make changes, before we make our application to build the scheme.”

A series of public consultation events, offering people the chance to see the proposals and meet members of the project team, will be held on:

• Friday, February 9 – Antrobus House, Amesbury, 2pm-8pm

  • Saturday, February 10 – Antrobus House, Amesbury, 11am-5pm

• Saturday, February 24 – Shrewton Village Hall 11am-5pm

• Thursday, March 1 – Mere Lecture Hall, Mere, 2pm-8pm

• Saturday, March 3 – The Guildhall, Salisbury, 11am-5pm

• Friday, March 9 and Saturday 10 – The Manor Barn, Winterbourne Stoke, 2pm-8pm

• Tuesday, March 13 – Avon Valley College, Durrington, 2pm-8pm

• Wednesday, March 14 – Larkhill Primary School, 2pm-8pm

• Friday, March 23, Antrobus House, Amesbury, 2-8pm