Local firms should be part of A303 project

AMID all the doom and gloom, I was immensely encouraged to read about the Highways England project manager’s appeal encouraging local businesses to become involved in the Stonehenge project.

Government departments are notoriously bad at managing major projects and doubtless over the last 12 months readers will have witnessed the relative success of local authorities in dealing with virus testing and the current vaccination programme to include local surgeries, pharmacies and others to achieve results quickly.

On the A303 project, Highways England are already working with the Wiltshire Enterprise Board and the Federation of Small Businesses and a Meet the Buyer event is planned on January 21st.

If implemented sensibly the involvement of local businesses will prove a win, win strategy. It will stimulate local interests, make people feel part of it, and provide employment.

Of course, big contractors must play their part but there will be plenty of work for others to do. Essentially it would be seen as a lovely job for folk in the Westcountry to take pride in.

Let’s hope the announcement doesn’t become another of those false dawns. We shall have to see. Loudon Constantine Moretonhampstead, Devon