National Highways insists that the estimated cost for the Stonehenge tunnel scheme remains at £1.7bn, despite staying that way for years and government contract figures now putting the scheme way above £2bn. And if you think that will be the end of it we have a bridge to sell you.

National Highways maintains that the contract values have not risen and that the total cost of the scheme remains at £1.7bn. Despite this, a National Highways spokesperson confirmed that the cost of the scheme will end up “towards £2bn” when non-recoverable tax is factored in. The spokesperson added: “[The] total estimated cost for the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down upgrade past Stonehenge remains at £1.7bn, although incorporating non-recoverable VAT will take this figure towards £2bn, as noted in the company’s Annual Report. “This £2bn value represents all of the project’s estimated costs, of which the main works contract is a part.”

Got it?

This nonsense comes on top of the recent re-brand from Highways England, cost unknown, only six years after its last multimillion-pound rebranding. There are only three certainties in life: death, taxes and the fact the tunnel scheme will eventually cost an eye-watering amount.