Re: Highways England Consultation - A303/Stonehenge | Forum

Stonehenge and its Environs 134

Image by Chance

Highways England Consultation — A303/Stonehenge

more_vert

ironstone Jan 15, 2017 15:01:26

Replying to Markoid

Congestion on the A303 isn't a question of rural public transport requirements; it's the major highway down to the West Country (at least for those who prefer a more scenic or romantic route to the dull M4/M5 alternative) and its shrinkage from dual carriageway to single-lane at that point is what causes the bottleneck around Stonehenge. The only alternative to a tunnel would be to widen the existing road but that would be even more destructive/disruptive. No wonder this decision's been debated and postponed almost as long as the Heathrow expansion.

tjj Jan 15, 2017 15:32:27

Replying to ironstone

ironstone wrote:

Thank you for your rational comment. It is all a complicated nightmare and I'm afraid the Highways England Consultation document does not give any alternative options. The Stonehenge Alliance seems to be the main source of alternative options and discussion.
http://stonehengealliance.org.uk/just-7-weeks-to-have-your-say-on-the-short-tunnel/
There are also some other links to be found there which make interesting reading. Apologies if you know all this already.

I can't help thinking how it would feel if a tunnel under Avebury was ever mooted and the destruction it would cause to the surrounding WHS.

Markoid Jan 15, 2017 15:39:25

Replying to ironstone

I've been down that way and distictly remember the scenic drive being rather beautiful. It wasn't congested though, busy right enough. Speed limits perhaps..or would that annoy Toyota! You can't please everybody I suppose. Some rural communities depend on tourism I guess. The countryside is fairly huge in England and it shouldn't be spoilt. I travel on trains and I see it. The odd road here and there wouldn't hurt, but I can see how it would annoy the locals.

As for Heathrow, the debate is over and it will happen. I have no problem with a third runway, and I live 8 miles away. It's busy enough with 2. I don't live in Hounslow though, but houses are much cheaper and jobs it will create.

Apparentely Oxford Street is the most polluted street in Europe. Horrible place anyway, apart from 100 Club which is worth a zillion carbon emmisions, once in a while!