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Govt Scrap Stonehenge Tunnel Scheme

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moss M
moss Jul 21, 2005 10:26:37
Replying to copius-freakus2

Mixed feelings here.. As someone who lives in Bath the proposed road development (motorway) that would have run from Portsmouth port (that scheme did'nt happen!)including the Stonehenge tunnel with all its costly development, across the country, meeting the A36 to the A46 (already built and sitting under Solsbury Hill), too join up to the M4 and M5 - I did'nt want it to happen. Environmentally DO we really nead more large road schemes carting tons of produce from other countries? carving their way thro countryside and bringing misery in the wake, especially when we are told oil is starting to run out....
Stonehenge and the tunnel had two separate issues going, and Stonehenge can still have its integrity if they were to bypass it it, put a decent tourist centre in, and hopefully make people walk to it and experience the full prehistoric landscape that the stones are a part of. Bath and tourism go together, I have language students, they all "do" Stonehenge from here, doubt if its history sink in for 90% of all people who travel to it.. Apologies for getting cross but Stonehenge and Avebury have been there for thousands of years we should respect their integrity.................

J Jim-Rayner
Jim-Rayner Jul 21, 2005 18:22:19
Replying to moss

One of the main issues about Stonehenge apart from the vistors centre (V.C.) and A303 is the A344.

Agreement has already been reached on closing the A344 and this was not part of the 2004 public inquiry. However, some people seem to think that the A344 can only be closed as part of this wider A303 tunnel & new V.C. project.

There is in my opinion absolutly no reason why the A344 cannot be closed right now between the current visitors centre and Stonehenge Bottom (the junction with the A303).

Why?
1. Agreement has already been reached by all the main parties to close the road.
2. All traffic can then access the current V.C. via the A303 / A360.
3. The upper part of the A344 from the A360 can remain, as access to the current V.C.
4. Its cost effective.
5. This will reunite the Heel Stone with the rest of the circle in a dignified way.
6. The subway tunnel from the present V.C. could be closed and the current V.C given a spruce up until a sustainable longer term solution can be found.
7. Stonehenge Bottom the junction between the A344 and A303 is the most dangerous blackspot on the whole A303 route and it has the highest record of accidents. This is one the main problems with the A303 and can be easily be solved.

The A344 between the present visitors centre and the A303 junction has got to go and the sooner the better.

Jim