Re: Avebury road closure? | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

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Avebury road closure?

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ocifant Feb 14, 2015 06:07:33

Replying to nigelswift

nigelswift wrote:

(I'm also not sure if it's possible or likely they would ban most traffic while leaving it open for 2.5 million blue badge holders. That didn't happen at the A344, disabled people were banned too, so why would it be different at Avebury?)

That's the point though, isn't it? To 'open up the landscape' they'd have to *remove* the road, like at Stonehenge, but that's extremely unlikely to happen if it remains for farm vehicles and locals (defined/controlled how, exactly?)

So what's the point?

It doesn't affect me directly as I seldom visit these days, and we have a blue badge anyway - the only way my missus can get to really see or experience the sites is for me to drive past them...

nigelswift Feb 14, 2015 07:14:52

Replying to ocifant

ocifant wrote:

To 'open up the landscape' they'd have to *remove* the road, like at Stonehenge, but that's extremely unlikely to happen if it remains for farm vehicles and locals (defined/controlled how, exactly?)

Good point. If "some" cars are allowed there'd be no physical change, just less traffic, but not none. Not sure that's enough of a plus to make it a worthwhile fight for them.

Also, to make it logical to let blue badgers through surely they'd allow some disabled parking in a layby there so that's another aspect that would mean things wouldn't change much, i.e. parked cars would still be in evidence all day every day.

And what about enforcement? Could be all sorts of scary and expensive arrangements needed!

tjj Feb 14, 2015 08:42:49

Replying to ocifant

ocifant wrote:

So what's the point?

It doesn't affect me directly as I seldom visit these days, and we have a blue badge anyway - the only way my missus can get to really see or experience the sites is for me to drive past them...

We are talking about a minor road which primarily used by Avebury residents to link them with the A4 going towards Marlborough. I understand nothing will be done without full consultation with them. Closing the road would also take the lay-by at Waden Hill end of the West Kennet Avenue out of use which would be an inconvenience to some - particularly those with disabilities, I can see that. Its really a small fish in the big sea of 'heritage' road dilemmas isn't it. The proposed Stonehenge tunnel and its length spring instantly to mind. For me personally (as someone who has had a couple of near misses) it is the speed and volume of the traffic using the A4. Particularly past Silbury Hill and where people cross the road to visit WKLB; also up by Overton Down where walkers cross from the Ridgeway. By Silbury there is a footpath alongside the road but getting from one side to the other is often a risky business. A real shame, last year I noticed wild orchids growing in grass by Silbury - I wonder how many people noticed with the distraction of lorries thundering past. The A4 is a major road, fact of life, one of the ideas to make traffic slow down up by Overton barrows is to narrow the road slightly - there are already 'Slow' signs up there and also a sign saying 'Walkers in road'.