The UK government has opened a public consultation into revised plans for the A303 past Stonehenge in Wiltshire, after costs for the previous scheme escalated to more than £500m.

Proposals to create a tunnel for the A303 were turned down in July 2005 after costs rocketed from around £180m. They also included plans to develop a £67.5m visitor centre and access scheme for the world heritage Stonehenge site.

Today, transport minister Stephen Ladyman and culture minister David Lammy unveiled two alternatives, a bypass to the north or south of Stonehenge, or a ‘cut and cover’ tunnel.

“We need to find a solution for the A303 past Stonehenge which is right for the setting of the stones and right for the historic landscape,” said Lammy.

“Our aim is to realise the goals we have set out in the Stonehenge World Heritage Site Management Plan.”

The public consultation will run until 24 April 2006.