Latest news with #A303
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Stonehenge Tunnel campaigners say the fight isn't over
One year on from the scrapping of the Stonehenge tunnel, campaigners say the fight is not two-mile (3.2km) scheme along the A303 in Wiltshire had been agreed by the previous Conservative government but was scrapped by Labour after a spending people living in nearby villages like Shrewton said they considered selling their homes due to rising traffic levels caused by motorists avoiding congestion on the A303.A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said it recognised the importance of the A303 and added a new Road Safety Strategy is being developed. A year on from the decision, parish councillor Paul McKernan said he was disappointed the project had not gone ahead."We were within weeks of delivering on a 40-year gestation period for the project."To this day, people around here cannot believe it. How can they simply throw all that effort away."He expressed concern for the summer period, believing up to 12,000 vehicles could use village roads every day to avoid A303 queues. A high volume of traffic on small village roads has sparked safety concerns for those who live and work there. One property in Shrewton had its fence knocked down by a motorist passing through the homeowner said it was caused by a driver coming around an S-bend too fast and mounting the pavement before "taking out the bus stop and the fence". "Somebody is going to get badly hurt here, somebody is going to get killed," said Colin Nufer, who runs the Plume of Feathers pub in High added: "The feeling of the general populous who come in here is that the tunnel needs to come back, it needs to start again and the hope is there." But the proposed tunnel was divisive, with those against it raising concerns it would damage the World Heritage Alliance has been campaigning against the tunnel for the past 30 years. Kate Freeman from the group said the site should be untouchable. She said: "It's truly shocking that a great big gash could have been cut straight through the landscape."She said it was "very disappointing" that the scheme was scrapped due to financial concerns, rather than fears about how it would affect the World Heritage Site."We realise that we still have a mountain to climb," she for alternatives, Mrs Freeman said: "Unesco has already proposed there should be another route further south that should be investigated. Also the villages need strong traffic management. We can't carry on this way."
BBC News
5 days ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
EV charging 'superhub' to be built at A303 Chicklade services
Construction for a new service station with ultra-fast electric car chargers is starting soon on the InstaVolt will replace the existing services at Chicklade, ten miles from Stonehenge in Wiltshire, with a 30-charger "superhub" alongside a large cafe and farm will start in August with the opening expected in late spring A303 near Stonehenge is very popular and often congested, particularly during holiday seasons. Delvin Lane, CEO of InstaVolt, which has a network of charging sites, said: "Chicklade is the next step in our mission to combine scale, sustainability and convenience."As EVs become more accessible and with the private sector committing significant investment, we're proud to be building the infrastructure that will keep the country moving."Similar to InstaVolt's site in Winchester, Chicklade will be using solar power and large batteries, and will provide discounted charging in summer. The site is located on the 9,000-acre Fonthill Estate, which has been working with the company on the plans for two estate commented: "This partnership represents a long-term, sustainable investment that supports our local community, enhances the regional road network and contributes meaningfully to regeneration and job creation across the area."The government recently announced that larger EV hubs will now be signposted to drivers on major A roads for the first is hoped this will show non-EV drivers that charging is available and minister Lilian Greenwood said the government was making it "cheaper and easier" to own an EV, and that a new chargepoint was being installed in the UK every hour.
BBC News
30-06-2025
- BBC News
Motorcyclist dies and another injured in four-vehicle A303 crash
A motorcyclist has died in a collision involving four vehicles that took place on Sunday morning on the A303, near Charnage in southwest about 1030 BST, a Citroen C5 was travelling east along the single carriageway section of the A303 when it collided with three of the riders, a man in his 60s, was declared dead at the scene and another rider suffered life changing injuries.A man in his 60s has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and drug driving. He remains in custody. The third motorcyclist was not injured in the Police have asked for anyone who witnessed the incident, or has dash cam footage, to contact them.
BBC News
24-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Cartgate service station opposes A403 Welcome Break plan
Senior staff at an independent service station have said they feel "threatened" by proposals to build a Welcome Break services next proposals suggest developing the land west of the Cartgate Lodge picnic area off the A303 near Yeovil, Somerset, to include takeaways and drive-thru has been on the site for about 20 years and used to be a caravan park until it expanded into a bigger building with a picnic area and toilet Adam Thurgood said: "I'm all for the little man. This is a David-and-Goliath situation. It is not needed." Mr Thurgood said the 12 members of staff who work at the lodge have become "a family", and dreads having to reduce his payroll if revenue falls. "Every member of staff has been here for years. We are family here, people know our names when they come in," he said."Everyone here is really, really upset about it all." Mr Thurgood said the picnic area has become a hub for people to meet and socialise, creating an atmosphere "you would not get in a service station". "Who needs more fast food? Everything here is sourced locally and homemade by our chefs," he continued.." Jenny Essom said she and her husband visit Cartgate each time they drive down to Cornwall in their caravan. "The food is absolutely beautiful, so fresh and lovely. It's just wonderful," she said."We don't need another Welcome Break to stop at - they're all around the area. There's one just across the road. "It really isn't fair because of the people that work so hard here [at Cartgate]. If they keep going we will still come, but not everyone will obviously." A spokesman for ADS Design, which is representing the developer, previously told the BBC: "The proposed services will positively promote the area and provide a safe and comfortable refuge to visiting motorists."
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New service station planned for busy A-road
A service station could be built on the A303 in Somerset, after plans were submitted to the council. Under the new proposal the Cartgate Picnic Area near Yeovil would be developed by Welcome Break and include takeaways and drive-thru services. It comes as the company plans to build a new facility on the M5 at junction 24 Bridgwater. It is thought the plans, if approved, could bring up to 90 jobs to the area, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. More news stories for Somerset Listen to the latest news for Somerset The main building within the centre of the site (near the petrol pumps) would include Greggs, Taco Bell and a drive-thru KFC with a large public seating area, toilets, showers and gaming zone. There will also be 145 parking spaces, including electric charging points. A spokesman for ADS Design, which is representing the developer, said: "The proposed trunk road service area meets the needs of the location while maximising the potential of the site and delivering a building of significant design merit. "The proposed services will positively promote the area and provide a safe and comfortable refuge to visiting motorists. "These proposals represent a unique service area which engages modern building materials in a timeless fashion, to create a space that injects a little flourish into refuelling and provides an important economic investment to the area," they added. Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. New M5 services to provide 150 local jobs Services with cult following marks tenth anniversary Local Democracy Reporting Service
