A STONEHENGE action group is calling for a 15-year-old solution to the problem of the A303 at Stonehenge to be implemented now, saving millions of pounds.

The A303 Stonehenge Action Group said a plan to dual the A303 carriageway along its existing route past Stonehenge was favoured by the Halcrow Report, which was published in 1991.

Chairman of the group Lieutenant Colonel Jim Cooke said that the report came about after consultants had considered more than 50 possible options, and the plan was one that found favour with many groups and organisations.

He said: "Halcrow concluded that it was by far the least disruptive, was the most environmentally friendly solution and would cause minimum damage to a very sensitive archaeological area."

He said: "The Halcrow Report was included in the master plan for Stonehenge at that time but was then seemingly abandoned.

"We want it restored."

Lieut Col Cooke said that, earlier this year, local councillors Ian West and Colin Mills suggested the same idea as the solution to the problem.

"They brought a bit of common sense to bear on the seemingly never-ending inquiries and consultations over what to do," he said.

He said the action group felt that, despite the delay and the enormous and unjustified costs to the taxpayer so far, this original option to widen the A303 and make it a dual carriageway should be implemented now, without the additional expense of having "yet another consultation".

The group intends to promote its idea at a public meeting at Antrobus House, Amesbury, on March 16, at 7pm.

Lieut Col Cooke said the group was disappointed that the option was not included in the recent exhibition publicising five options, including the controversial £510m bored tunnel.

Lieut Col Cooke, who was elected chairman of the group a week ago, was one of the delegation that in 1993 met the then transport minister Steve Norris.