PRELIMINARY work on the Stonehenge tunnel has paused and members of the public have been invited to find out more.

National Highways' £1.7bn scheme to build a tunnel on the A303 will not go ahead until the outcome of a legal appeal against a High Court judgement is determined.

It was announced on February 19 that a second judicial review of the Government's decision to approve the Stonehenge tunnel was unsuccessful.

Anti-tunnel campaigners from Save Stonehenge World Heritage Site argued the development consent remained unlawful and will be appealing this decision at the Court of Appeal.

Read more: Stonehenge tunnel to go ahead as High Court appeal rejected

The preliminary tunnel work, which has been paused, includes archaeological fieldwork and civils work.

National Highways will tour Salisbury and its surrounding villages next week with representatives from contractors Wessex Archaeology and Octavius, offering residents the opportunity to ask questions about the project.

Information events will be held on the following dates

  • Saturday 27 April: Antrobus House, Amesbury SP4 7HH (11am-4pm);
  • Monday 29 April: Shrewton Village Hall SP3 4JY (11am-4pm);
  • Tuesday 30 April: Salisbury Guildhall SP1 1JH (11am-6pm);
  • Friday 3 May: South Newton Village Hall SP2 0PJ (11am-4pm);
  • Tuesday 7 May: Durrington Village Hall SP4 8AD (11am-6pm).

Andrew Clark, National Highways’ senior project manager, encouraged people to come along.

He said: "We’re continuing to work with heritage groups and other stakeholders, and the information events offer the opportunity for local communities, businesses and other interested parties to find out a little more.

“It’s a chance to meet face to face with the teams and for local residents and groups to ask questions about the current enabling works, and to find out more about the scheme in general, and we encourage people to come along.”

Meanwhile the A360 between Longbarrow roundabout and The Avenue roundabout remains closed until mid-July to enable SSEN to install underground cabling to power the tunnel.

SSEN representatives will be attending the information events to answer any questions.

Up-to-date details on the A303 Stonehenge upgrade are available on the scheme website, and for any further queries ahead of the public information events, people are advised to email info@a303stonehenge.co.uk.