For better or worse the Stonehenge tunnel and bypass plans have been abandoned - too expensive and too damaging to the archaeological and natural environment. But what can now be done to present this iconic monument to the 21st century visitor and passer-by? Those who have paid to enter the site and those who (perhaps for the first time) see the structure from the road, magically appearing on the hilltop before them, and maybe inspiring them to delve a little deeper into its meaning?
The two main problems at Stonehenge are the facilities (which are truly abysmal - a fast food outlet, portaloos and a souvenir shop bursting at its seams are nothing short of cultural vandalism and a national embarrassment) and the two roads that cut close to the structure disturbing its presence in the landscape. Paradoxically, if those roads are part of the ancient landscape from where, perhaps, Stonehenge was intended to be seen, removing them would be paramount to destroying part of the historic makeup of the area. In other words, perhaps we've been looking at the wrong solution for solving the traffic problem (removing the roads) at Stonehenge all along. It's not the roads that are the problem it's what's on them. If the roads, that are now the A303 and A344, are as old (or even older) than Stonehenge itself then they deserve to be protected as part of the historic landscape (if they are not then they should go).
So what schemes for the traffic problem at Stonehenge remain that may not already have been considered in detail? The A344 (if it is an ancient track) might be converted into a pedestrian/cycle-way for example. The A303 is the real problem - traffic noise there is far more intrusive than the sight of the traffic itself. There are so many visitors milling around Stonehenge most of the time anyway that visual 'pollution' is always going to be a problem (unless you book an out-of-hours visit). So how about an A303 tunnel along stretches of the A303 where traffic can presently be seen from the structure - not a tunnel underground but one above ground. If sensitively designed and landscaped, with one-way glazing that enables users of the road to see Stonehenge from vantage points where it may have been seen thousands of years ago it would kill two birds with one stone :-) That is to say that people using the Stonehenge tunnel/tube would see the monument as they went past but visitors to the structure wouldn't see the traffic. Include a sound-dampening road surface and the noise problem would be vastly reduced (if not completely eliminated). This is not rocket science, and compared to the underground tunnel and by-pass plans much cheaper to implement (perhaps prefabricated units could be dropped into place over the existing road). This overland tunnel/tube could be upgraded or completely removed as and when needed (first rule of conservation [reversibility] which the original cut or bore tunnels and bypass plans contravened).
Alternatively, do we do nothing and wait for the traffic itself to become extinct - that could take decades. Meanwhile, isn't one of the major supermarkets planning to build a distribution centre close to Stonehenge, thereby perpetuating/increasing traffic flow on the A303 for many years to come? Sadly, if nothing is done, Robin McKie (Sunday's Observer: link above) is probably right when he says, "...cars and lorries will continue to hurtle by its magical bluestones and tourists will be stuffed into its cramped little visitor centre. It's low-rent tat - the Stonehenge we deserve..."
