ABOUT 1,400 objections are likely to be heard when the public inquiry into the proposed multi-million-pound tunnelling of the A303 at Stonehenge takes place next year.

The inquiry is due to open in Salisbury on February 17 and is expected to last at least ten weeks.

On Monday afternoon, the inquiry inspector, Michael Ellison, held a pre-inquiry meeting in Salisbury Guildhall, attended by several hundred people.

The meeting was to set out the programme for the inquiry.

Mr Ellison, who will be helped by an assistant inspector, Clive Cochran, said the hearing would probe seven draft orders proposed by the Highways Agency.

The draft orders cover the building of a new A303 dual carriageway - including twin tunnels - as the road goes underground near the world heritage site, the building of slip roads and the closure of roads.

The orders also cover traffic and pedestrian regulations for the tunnel and compulsory purchase orders for land required for the new roads.

Mr Ellison said that issues of compensation, government policy and matters of law would be outside the scope of the inquiry.

The Highways Agency will be calling 12 witnesses and will also have the support of the department of culture, media and sport, Winterbourne Stoke parish council, English Heritage, Salisbury district council and Wiltshire county council.

The three local councils support the scheme in principle but do have some reservations on various aspects.

Objectors include the Stonehenge Alliance, which incorporates the Council for the Protection of Rural England and Friends of the Earth, Transport 2000, the Salisbury Association of Council Taxpayers, various hiking and cycling groups, the Countess Road residents' group, various Amesbury groups and dozens of individuals.

Wiltshire Fire Brigade has also lodged an objection to the tunnelling of the A303 following concerns about fire safety.

The inquiry is also likely to hear details of at least two alternative road schemes.

The inquiry will open on Tuesday, February 17, in Salisbury Guildhall but on the following day will switch to Cross Keys House, where it will remain for the duration.

It is scheduled to sit until April 30, hearing evidence every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. It will not sit on Mondays.

The room set aside in Cross Keys House is on the third floor but there are two lifts and access for the disabled.

A website has been set up that will carry information about the forthcoming inquiry and, once the inquiry is under way, there will be daily updates.