The transformational scheme is still awaiting its Development Consent Order (DCO), and Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps announced earlier in the summer a revised deadline of 13th November for the decision, following a six-month Public Examination in 2019.

To ensure programme timescales are maintained in the meantime, Highways England has selected Wessex Archaeology, one of the largest contractors in the sector, to undertake its Archaeological Mitigation Contract work.

The contract has been awarded now to enable Wessex Archaeology to start their pre-planning, with fieldwork not expected to start until late spring 2021, should planning consent be granted for the scheme.

The company, responsible for England’s motorways and major A roads, has also awarded an £8.5 million Preliminary Works Contract to Osborne through its Collaborative Delivery Framework.

Highways England Project Director Derek Parody said:

The World Heritage Site (WHS) around Stonehenge is a heritage site of national and international importance and the scope of the archaeological contract announced today is unprecedented for Highways England, reflecting the importance of the WHS and surrounding landscape.

Building on thorough evaluation work carried out before the DCO application was submitted, the archaeological mitigation strategy is being developed in consultation with specialist advisors from Historic England and Wiltshire Council, the National Trust and English Heritage, and with input from a scientific committee of independent experts.

Wessex Archaeology have an extensive track record of work in connection with the Stonehenge landscape, we want to ensure that all archaeological remains are preserved and recorded, and we are delighted to announce that they will be undertaking this specialist work.

The contract award in no way pre-empts the granting of a Development Consent Order and while we await the Secretary of State’s decision, we need to progress the procurement to ensure the project is in the best position it can be in to proceed thereafter.

The Archaeological Mitigation Contract involves archaeological evaluation and recording, ahead of and during construction work, and will also deliver a major programme of public archaeology and community engagement (PACE) to make the archaeology of the scheme accessible to all. This will involve local schools and community interest groups, as well as Wiltshire Council, the National Trust and English Heritage.

Caroline Budd, Chief Operating Officer at Wessex Archaeology, said:

Wessex Archaeology is very proud to be an ongoing part of the integrated A303 team, and we welcome the chance to be involved in such a significant road improvement scheme. This project enables us to continue our work towards the sensitive management and interpretation of one of the UK’s most important historic landscapes, and ensure that both local communities and the general public can benefit from a greater understanding of this fascinating place.

As part of the Preliminary Works Contract, Osborne will deliver ecological mitigation work, site clearance, associated highways alterations and utilities work, such as modifications to the Rollestone junction, safety improvements to the A303 east of Amesbury and water main installation.

Osborne project director Chris Hudson said:

Osborne has significant experience working collaboratively with Highways England and local stakeholders on a wide variety of challenging projects. We are looking forward to undertaking this essential project safely and efficiently keeping inconvenience to neighbours and travelling public to a minimum.

Highways England is also currently progressing the procurement process for the Main Works contract and participating in dialogue with bidders before they submit their final tenders. The preferred bidder is expected to be announced in late 2021.

Highways England’s proposed £1.7 billion upgrade of the A303 between Amesbury and Berwick Down includes:

• 8 miles of free-flowing, high-quality dual carriageway
• a twin-bore tunnel two miles long underneath the World Heritage Site, closely following the existing A303 route, avoiding important archaeological sites, and avoiding intrusion on the view of the setting sun from the stones during the winter solstice
• a new bypass to the north of the village of Winterbourne Stoke, with a viaduct over the River Till valley
• new junctions with the A345 and A360 either side of the World Heritage Site

The scheme will unlock congestion along this vital A303 route, conserve and enhance the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site and benefit the local and regional economy by providing skills and job opportunities for businesses large and small.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

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Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

We have studied carefully the statement by Michel Barnier to the European Parliament this morning. As the EU’s Chief Negotiator his words are authoritative.

The Prime Minister and Michael Gove have both made clear in recent days that a fundamental change in approach was needed from the EU from that shown in recent weeks.

They made clear that the EU had to be serious about talking intensively, on all issues, and bringing the negotiation to a conclusion. They were also clear that the EU had to accept once again that it was dealing with an independent and sovereign country and that any agreement would need to be consistent with that status.

We welcome the fact that Mr Barnier acknowledged both points this morning, and additionally that movement would be needed from both sides in the talks if agreement was to be reached. As he made clear, “any future agreement will be made in respect of the decision-making autonomy of the European Union and with respect for British sovereignty.

Lord Frost discussed the implications of this statement and the state of play with Mr Barnier earlier today. On the basis of that conversation we are ready to welcome the EU team to London to resume negotiations later this week. We have jointly agreed a set of principles for handling this intensified phase of talks.

As to the substance, we note that Mr Barnier set out the principles that the EU has brought to this negotiation, and that he also acknowledged the UK’s established red lines. It is clear that significant gaps remain between our positions in the most difficult areas, but we are ready, with the EU, to see if it is possible to bridge them in intensive talks. For our part, we remain clear that the best and most established means of regulating the relationship between two sovereign and autonomous parties is one based on a free trade agreement.

As both sides have made clear, it takes two to reach an agreement. It is entirely possible that negotiations will not succeed. If so, the UK will end the transition period on Australia terms and will prosper in doing so.

It is essential now that UK businesses, hauliers, and travellers prepare actively for the end of the transition period, since change is coming, whether an agreement is reached or not.

Made up of employers from the public and private sector, and including industries such as engineering, banking, healthcare, retailing, local government, accountancy and employers from the charity sector, the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers rankings celebrates 100 of the country’s most outstanding apprenticeship employers.

The British Army achieved the top spot by helping over 8,000 apprentices gain new skills and progress in 2019-2020; with almost a fifth of its workforce currently completing apprenticeship programmes as part of their military training – in areas including engineering, telecommunications, logistics, construction, health and IT.

Apprenticeships and Skills Minister Gillian Keegan said:

A huge congratulations to all those businesses featured in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers rankings. It is fantastic to see the British Army recognised for its incredible support for apprentices and the apprenticeships programme.

Apprenticeships help business of all sizes to grow, and give people of all ages and backgrounds a chance to learn new skills and get ahead in their chosen career.

They will continue to play a vital role in delivering the skills individuals and the economy needs to thrive after coronavirus. I hope this initiative highlights the crucial role of apprenticeships in bringing in new talent & supporting our economic recovery, and encourages even more employers to get involved.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

Now more than ever we should celebrate businesses who are driving our efforts to build a stronger, fairer, and more competitive economy.

High-quality apprenticeships give people from all backgrounds and ages a real choice in life, providing them with the skills employers value, which our economy needs, and which lead to better paid jobs.

These modern employers are at the heart of levelling up our workforce, and with the extra support we are providing will help the country build back better from coronavirus.

New in 2020, the rankings showcase the very best of England’s large apprenticeship employers, with employers recognised for providing some of the most successful apprenticeship programmes over the previous 12 months. The list will help potential apprentices, parents and careers advisers to identify the best apprenticeship opportunities with the highest performing apprentice employers.

Over 400 applications were received, with the results announced at a special online event broadcast earlier today attended by organisations including Rochdale Borough Council, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Pepsico and London Ambulance Service.

The new leader board of apprenticeship employers was independently developed, assessed and compiled in partnership with High Fliers Research.

View the full list of the The Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2020 (PDF, 486 KB, 3 pages)

Colonel Kate George MBE, Assistant Head Learning and Development, from the British Army said:

In the British Army, we view people as the Army, not in the Army, so we are passionate about our soldiers’ professional development.

Our myriad apprenticeships play a critical part in developing the skills our soldiers need to succeed in their careers and on operations. The Army also benefits because our soldiers gain so much from the apprenticeship – not just in learning a new trade, but also in developing their own self confidence and leadership abilities.

Entering the Top 100 Awards provides an opportunity to reflect on our own apprenticeship achievements but also it gives employers the chance to celebrate the achievements of their staff and their apprentices, and the vital role we have as an employer in contributing to changing lives.

Peter Mucklow, Director, Apprenticeships, Education and Skills Funding Agency concluded:

During such a difficult year it is encouraging to see that apprenticeships continue to be critical to business performance and success.

Today’s announcement shows that there are outstanding employers delivering apprenticeships across all sectors, and the Top 100 apprenticeship employer rankings rightly give recognition and thanks to those who have shown, and continue to show, huge commitment to apprenticeships.

I look forward to seeing how these 100 employers use their status to showcase the many benefits of apprenticeships, whilst encouraging other employers to consider recruiting an apprentice.

More information about the process can be found by visiting: http://www.topapprenticeshipemployers.co.uk/.

If you are an employer and would like to find out more about the benefits of recruiting an apprentice, please visit: www.apprenticeships.gov.uk.