Road tunnel planned beneath Britain's famous Stonehenge

Plans for tunnel under Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument and one of Britain's most famous landmarks, were unveiled Thursday.

Transport Secretary announced the tunnel scheme under Stonehenge, a Unesco World Heritage Site, as part of a 2 billion-pound project to solve traffic problems around the 25 square kilometer site.

Stonehenge, acknowledged as one of the wonders of the world, is the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe dating back more than 5,000 years.

English Heritage, the official cultural body which looks after the site, has welcomed the announcement as a "momentous decision."

The agency has been concerned about the tens of thousands of vehicles that thunder past Stonehenge every day.

It has complained that heavy traffic and constant noise from the road compromises enjoyment and understanding of the monument.

A report by Unesco and the International Council on Monuments and Sites has also recognized the benefits of the tunnel project.

The tunnel scheme was first proposed more than two years ago when the government first put forward the idea of a tunnel of at least 2.9 km to remove much road traffic away from Stonehenge.

But the scheme is likely to generate opposition from some campaigners, who insist that only a longer tunnel, of more than 4 kilometers, will properly protect Stonehenge.

And critics have expressed fears the glow of lights from a tunnel would harm the original purpose of the Stonehenge circle of stones to celebrate the winter solstice.

Last month thousands of people headed to Stonehenge for the winter solstice. This is when the North Pole is tilted furthest away from the sun and England experiences its shortest day and longest night of the year. Visitors are able to catch a glimpse of the sunrise above the iconic stones.

Motorists, hauliers, residents and other road users are to be given their say on the proposal at a series of exhibitions in the area. Endit