Wiltshire

Approval and funding have been granted for the advanced planning of The Great Stones Way (GSW).

The Great Stones Way proposal envisages a walking route between the present end of the Ridgeway National Trail at Overton Hill near Avebury, southwards along the old Ridgeway track, through the Vale of Pewsey and up onto Salisbury Plain at Broadbury Banks.

A route is then to be agreed with the Ministry of Defence around the edge of the military ranges above the Avon Valley to the Durrington Walls ancient causewayed enclosure, and Woodhenge near to Stonehenge.

An alternative route may need to be adopted along the Avon Valley. After Stonehenge the route will cross Normanton Down to Great Durnford, then above the east bank of the Avon to end at Old Sarum. At a later stage, a link route will be adopted across Cranford Chase to join the Wessex Ridgeway at Win Green on the Dorset border.

The Great Stones Way project was first proposed to the Friends of the Ridgeway Executive Committee in August 2007 and the idea has subsequently developed to the point were detailed planning and funding can be carried out.

For more information on the current development plans see The Friends of the Ridgeway web site at

ridgewayfriends.org.uk/greatstonesway.html

and for an overview of The Great Stones Way project

ridgewayfriends.org.uk/GSWconcept.html

Chance