Re: Salisbury bypass | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

Stonehenge and its Environs 134

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Highways England Consultation — A303/Stonehenge

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tjj Jan 19, 2017 08:23:13

Replying to Rhiannon

I've read/listened to the arguments against the short tunnel and feel clear it is a wrong course of action for the Stonehenge WHS given the damage it would cause. I cannot help but draw some comparisons with Avebury which has a busy road actually going through the stone circle itself - albeit not anything as busy as the A303. It would be unthinkable to divert or widen that road because of the damage it would cause. I hate to keep saying it but it is cars and the numbers of people using them that is the problem - a tunnel will not lessen the traffic or the traffic jams it will just take it out of view.

And then of course there is the cynical opinion that a tunnel would give EH/NT almost sole rights to the 'view of Stonehenge'.

nigelswift Jan 19, 2017 08:35:07

Replying to tjj

Not "almost", exclusive.

This is great (the reasons not to do it, if not his solution)
http://www.spectator.co.uk/2017/01/the-stonehenge-tunnel-is-monumental-folly/
The great thing is he was head of the NT until recently.

Sanctuary Jan 19, 2017 09:31:55

Replying to tjj

tjj wrote:

And then of course there is the cynical opinion that a tunnel would give EH/NT almost sole rights to the 'view of Stonehenge'.

I don't think that's being cynical ay all June.

We travel from Cornwall to Winchester to my Mother-In-Law about a dozen times a year. Because I like to think we are sensible we only go the henge way outside of the summer months. There are three main routes from the west country (see below) so we pick and choose. Others can do the same. The extra distance is easily made up by the time you save from waiting in a queue!

There have been times when we purposely go via the A303 to simply get a view of the henge on a lovely day and take a few pix as we trickle by. If not driving I've been known to get out of the car, set a tripod up and take more pix!!

Far, far too much is being made of this issue and you seriously have to ask why so we have every right to be cynical. I've always said it and will continue to do so - all of this is to deny people seeing the henge without paying!

https://www.viamichelin.com/web/Routes/Route-London-_-Greater_London-United_Kingdom-to-Cornwall-United_Kingdom?strStartLocid=31NDFhcWsxMGNOVEV1TlRBd01qUT1jTFRBdU1USTNNRFk9&strDestLocid=3aMTEydTIxMGNOVEF1TWpZek16ST1jTFRVdU1EVXhNRGM9