Re: Govt Scrap Stonehenge Tunnel Scheme | Forum

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Govt Scrap Stonehenge Tunnel Scheme

VenerableBottyBurp Jul 23, 2005 14:46:01

Replying to Jim-Rayner

You are quite right Jim. But they were never going to close the 344 prior to getting the go-ahead for the rest of it precisely because the closure of the 344 would make such a massive improvement that someone might question the need for the new visitor centre and road closure scheme.

Personally I would like to see a big public push to get the 344 closed and then get the walkway tunnel filled and the buildings demolished with all the huts withdrawn to Airman's corner. Put a temporary car park on that chain plastic stuff, and leave the tarmac of the 344 in place up to the stones for the disabled. Live with this for say 5 years and see how it progresses, then make further changes or big plans if needed. Trouble is there are too many egos in EH hoping for imortality on the big picture.

All this will require quite a lot of geofizz of course, do you know any good ones Jim ?

VBB

Jim-Rayner Jul 25, 2005 15:16:15

Replying to VenerableBottyBurp

Hi VBB

I've put together this letter to send in to the government about this issue;

SIR
"The recent review of the A303 Stonehenge Tunnel scheme following the escalation of costs to an unreasonable level has called into doubt the whole project. Whatever long-term decision is taken about the A303 action still needs to be taken now at Stonehenge to improve the current malaise.

The main issue at Stonehenge is the 'closeness' of the A344 to the main circle of stones and the outlying Heel Stone which is situated right up against the road. The A344 is also the main accident black-spot on the whole A303 route with its junction at Stonehenge Bottom.

A logical way forward in the current impasse would be to close the A344 between the A303 junction and the current visitors centre. This was a condition of UNESCO when they made Stonehenge a World Heritage Site (WHS) and commands wide spread support from a whole range of parties.

A decision on closing the A344 could be taken and implemented separately from any A303 improvement plans. After all the years of negotiation, this would be a tangible act, that future visitors to the stones would greatly appreciate.

All access to the current visitors centre would be via the A360 and the western end of the A344. Traffic coming from the west already has the option of using this route and there is no right-turn from the A344 back on to the A303. Whilst this would be a slightly longer way round for visitors coming from the east, it would solve many of the problems of Stonehenge by reuniting the monument with most of its sacred landscape at a fraction of the cost."

Jim Rayner