FAQs

1. Why is the A360 being partially closed? +

The road is being closed to allow electricity and fibre optic cables to be laid for the A303 Stonehenge project. The A303 project needs an electricity supply for construction and for the tunnel once built.

2. How long is the work going to take? +

To allow the work to be done safely, a section of the A360 - to the south of the A303 between Longbarrow roundabout and The Avenue roundabout - will be temporarily closed between April and July.

This type of work would normally take 12 months to complete if we were to undertake a partial closure of the road, using one lane and traffic lights. However, we can minimise long term disruption by closing this section for a shorter period of time.

3. What is the diversion route? +

Traffic will be diverted via the A345 and part of the A303 and A360. Diversion routes will be marked by road signs. In addition to the diversion route signs, National Highways is putting up signs that will inform drivers of the closure further afield - in Devizes, Shaftesbury and routes around Salisbury - to encourage people to divert earlier while there are other route options.

4. Will the A360 be open for emergency vehicles? +

Emergency access will be maintained for properties along the A360. We will share details of access routes as work progresses with the emergency services.

5. Why is it necessary to completely close the A360? +

A single lane closure was considered, but the narrow width and nature of the road, with minimal verges on the A360, raised significant safety concerns for drivers and those working on the site. The safety of the travelling public and its workforce is a key priority for SSEN, National Highways and Wiltshire Council, so a single lane closure was deemed unacceptable.

Closing the A360 rather than undertaking the work with a single lane closure and temporary traffic lights means work can be completed faster. Instead of taking more than a year with a single lane closure the work will take approximately three months with a full closure.

6. Will people be able to use the Stoford to Woodford road (Church Bottom crossroads)? +

Yes, the Stoford to Woodford road, which crosses the A360, will remain open throughout the works. Temporary weight restrictions will be in place.

7. Will people be able to use Camp Hill and The Avenue roundabout? +

Yes. Camp Hill will remain open throughout the works. Temporary weight restrictions will be in place.

8. Will the closure be manned?

The closure will be manned at each end of the A360 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

We will have a team on site during the day, seven days a week, including project team members who are responsible for monitoring the diversions and access for homes and businesses along the A360.

There will be security on site 24-hours a day.

You can reach our resident liaison team, who are working with the team on the ground, on 0330 175 5675 or via info@a360temporaryclosure.co.uk (08.30 – 17.30 Monday to Friday).

9. Who is carrying out the works? +

SSEN has been contracted by National Highways to carry out this pre-enabling work for the improvements to the A303 past Stonehenge between Amesbury and Berwick Down which will create a new dual carriageway with a tunnel.

SSEN has partnered with OCU Group, who are experts in providing utilities connections. OCU, SSEN and National Highways are working together on this project and liaising with other key partners such as Wiltshire Council and the emergency services.

10. What is the nature of the work that you will be doing? +

SSEN will be installing two high voltage electricity cables along the A360 to connect power to the construction compound near Longbarrow roundabout. The work will be starting from the south and progressing north.

The Salisbury grid substation is the only local substation with sufficient capacity to meet the power requirements without the need for a significant upgrade. A temporary new substation will be built next to the construction compound to supply the power during construction works. When the tunnel and new A303 is built, this temporary substation will be removed along with the construction compound, and the cable rerouted to the tunnel entrance to provide permanent power for the tunnel.

A fibre optic cable will be used to control the networks systems and security infrastructure. It allows SSEN to ensure the appropriate protection and security is in place and that a reliable secure supply to their customers can be maintained.

11. What are your working hours? +

Work will be carried out seven days a week and may include some overnight working - where it can be done safely without disturbing residents - to ensure the work is completed as quickly as possible.

12. Who can I call to report and issue or ask a question during the works? +

We have set up a dedicated freephone line 0330 175 5675. This will get you through to our project liaison team. You can also email us your queries on info@a360temporaryclosure.co.uk

13. How will you communicate work times/changes? +

We will be sharing up-to-date information and news about the work on this website. You can also sign up to receive email updates. You can contact the team directly by email info@a360temporaryclosure.co.uk or by calling 0330 175 5675.

We are working with people who live and work along this stretch of the A360 to ensure they have appropriate access and point of contact.

14. Will the work be very noisy? +

Due to the nature of these works, there will be a degree of noise generated by construction. SSEN has a duty of care under construction regulations to manage noise pollution levels and will minimise disruption for residents. The on-site construction team will try to always keep the noise level as low as possible to ensure minimal impact on neighbouring properties and businesses.

15. How will you be monitoring the closure and diversion routes? +

We will be monitoring the diversion route daily throughout the closure of the A360. National Highways will be working closely with Wiltshire Council to put in place additional signs, restrictions and traffic calming measures if needed.

16. What measures are being taken to stop people ignoring the diversion route and going through the villages? +

Weight limits for minor roads will be brought in for the duration of the works to ensure HGVs do not use inappropriate alternatives. Wiltshire Council is introducing temporary weight restrictions including a 7.5 tonne weight limit on the C42 between Stratford Sub Castle and Stonehenge Road, Amesbury, and the C294 between Stratford Sub Castle and Great Durnford. These restrictions will have exemptions for either loading or access.

National Highways, working closely with Wiltshire Council, will actively encourage people not to use the B3083, which includes difficult right hand turns onto the A303, and to use diversion routes. They will monitor these routes alongside Wiltshire Council and introduce additional measures if needed.

Any further questions regarding the diversion route and its use should be directed towards National Highways who can be reached on 0300 123 5000 or via email info@a303stonehenge.co.uk

17. What is the impact on Byway 12 that connects with the A360? +

Byway 12 will remain open between Stonehenge and the A360, but vehicles will not be able to join or enter from the A360. Byway 12 will remain open to walkers and cyclists.

18. How will I access my home/business during your works? +

If your home or business is on the affected stretch of the A360, we are keen to talk to you about your access requirements so we can work with you to ensure you have appropriate access and contact with the project team.

If you would like to contact the team please email info@a360temporaryclosure.co.uk or call on 0330 175 5675 (08.30 – 17.30 Monday to Friday).

19. Are you working with the Wiltshire waste collection services? +

Yes. We are working with waste collection services to ensure they can access homes and business along the A360 to carry out regular collections.

20. Many people are fuelled by oil – will HGV access be granted for this? +

Yes. Vehicles who need to access to properties affected by the closure and temporary weight restrictions for deliveries or for waste collections will have access.

21. What other routes or options were considered for the cabling? +

Several other routes for the cabling were considered, including the use of the A360, but it was concluded that these would be significantly more disruptive to roads and traffic in the area.

22. Why can’t the cables go through the fields instead of under the road? +

National Highways has advised that going down the A360 is the best way to avoid delays and to reduce impact on local habitats. Going down the A360 also reduces the archaeological risk. SSEN has the necessary powers to deliver the connection works by going down the road.

23. Why aren’t you using temporary traffic lights? +

We looked carefully at the possibility of using temporary traffic signals. However, this would have extended the length of the project to 12 months and limit the safe working space due to the limited verges on the A360.

24. When will the diversion signs be put in place? +

Advance warning signs have been in place since the middle of March. The diversion signs will go up overnight the night before the A360 temporary closure is put in place.

25. Will there be other traffic works taking place in and around Salisbury while the A360 is closed? +

National Highways and Wiltshire Council are working together to ensure that non-urgent work on the diversion routes and roads in the immediate area is avoided during the temporary closure of the A360.

If emergency work needs to take place, as there is a risk to people or property, the council and National Highways will work closely with utilities companies and contractors to ensure as much work as possible is completed overnight and outside busy periods.

26. Will the road surface of A360 will be returned like-for-like once the works are completed? +

Yes. The road surface will be reinstated and subject to inspection by Wiltshire Council’s streetworks team.

27. Will GoogleMaps and satnavs automatically use the diversion route? +

We have informed GoogleMaps and shared information about the closure through the new national digital publication platform that satnav providers can access for up-to-date information.

28. Are there going to be any impacts on wildlife? What steps will you put in place to ensure that this doesn’t happen? +

By carrying out the works along the already developed A360 the potential impact on habitats will be minimised. With the works being carried out in the highway, we believe this should not impact local wildlife. We will be working closely with ecologists and National Highways to mitigate any impact on local wildlife.

29. Is this going to disturb local electricity/ broadband/ energy supply? +

Where possible, we will provide written notice to impacted customers, giving seven days' notice for domestic customers and 30 days' notice for business customers.

30. Is it possible to get an upgrade to my internet connection if you’re laying fibre cable? +

The fibre line we are laying is not suitable for public or commercial use.

The fibre optics that SSEN is laying will be used to control the networks systems and security infrastructure. It will only be connected to SSEN’s internal systems to ensure the appropriate protection and security are in place.

It allows SSEN to safeguard its assets and network, enabling them to maintain a reliable secure supply to their customers and so can’t be used for commercial broadband connections.

31. Will the police be monitoring traffic on the diversion route? +

As the highway authority, Wiltshire Council will monitor the temporary restrictions and will work with Wiltshire Police to enforce the restrictions.

Wiltshire Police will also be conducting speed and weight checks in the area. By increasing visibility and traffic enforcement in the area we aim to discourage motorists from using the road.

32. How can I report a road traffic incident to Wiltshire Police? +

You can report a collision or a driving offence, such as dangerous, careless or inconsiderate driving, through Wiltshire Police’s website and online reporting system. Wiltshire Police will review every report they receive and use the information to build its intelligence picture, inform policy and consider what action may be taken.