Stonehenge and its Environs forum 134 room
Image by Chance
Stonehenge and its Environs

Stonehenge threat "urgent, serious and imminent"

close
more_vert
Littlestone L
Littlestone Jun 13, 2006 17:28:28
Replying to nigelswift

>Sounds like they know the decision has been made and that its very bad news.<

There are two interesting items in the current issue of the British Archaeology magazine; the first, on page 8, under the heading <b>Unprecedented divide over Stonehenge</b> states that, "Until recently English Heritage was almost alone in wanting a 2.1km bored tunnel, supported by a public enquiry. Now the British Museum, the Society of Antiquaries and the UK National Commission for Unesco have announced their support for the plan."

However, on page 64 of the same magazine, under the heading <b>Stonehenge Roads Review</b> it states. "In considering its position in relation to the recent Stonehenge roads review... the CBA has been working closely with a number of conservation organizations who broadly share similar views." The other 'conservation' organizations the CBA is referring to appear to be (among others) The National Trust, the International Council for Monuments and Sites UK, the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society and Friends of the Earth. These organizations published a joint statement on Stonehenge and the A303 which is available at www.britarch.ac.uk/stonehenge

What the CBA and the number of 'conservation' organizations who broadly share similar views seem to be saying is that it's probably best not to do anything for the time being other than to emphasise, "...the need for resourcefulness, preservation and partnership in seeking a satisfactory long-term solution..." The magazine item concludes by saying, "The Highways Agency has indicated that there is no overriding priority for upgrading the A303 within the current government road programme so if there is no immediate transport need for the damaging 2.1km bored tunnel, surely now is the time for everyone to be working on a sustainable long term solution..."

I'm not sure when the 2.1km bored tunnel became the 'damaging' option (compared to the other options) but three cheers for English Heritage, the British Museum, the Society of Antiquaries and the UK National Commission for Unesco for supporting it - there's still a bit of sense and responsibility out there!

N nigelswift
nigelswift Jun 13, 2006 18:39:48
Replying to Littlestone

"I'm not sure when the 2.1km bored tunnel became the 'damaging' option (compared to the other options) but three cheers for English Heritage, the British Museum, the Society of Antiquaries and the UK National Commission for Unesco for supporting it - there's still a bit of sense and responsibility out there!"

Hang on. Is this the same EH that supported the horrendous "cut and cover" tunnel idea for years? And then said the long tunnel was best? And now says the short tunnel is the best, simply because the govt. won't cough up the money for the long one? In what sense are you using the term "sense and responsibility" Mr L.?

The NT are simply saying the Stonehenge complex ought to be the priority and if you can't spend enough money on a scheme that minimises damage to that then maybe you shouldn't do anything at all.
We can argue till the cows come home whether that's truly responsible but I'll bet you a quid that the next ten generations will say it was, and they're the ultimately authoritative arbiters, not today's commuters.