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Stonehenge and the A303 Improvement Scheme
The UK National Commission is most disappointed at the Government's decision in December 2007 against the much-needed A303 Improvement Plan at Stonehenge.
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The Future of Stonehenge - Public Consultation Launched (15/07/2008)
Proposals to revise the Stonehenge World Heritage Site Management Plan and to improve the monument’s landscape setting and presentation to visitors in time for the 2012 Olympics were unveiled for public consultation by Margaret Hodge, Culture Minister, and Lord Bruce-Lockhart, Chairman of English Heritage.
The public will have a chance to learn more about these proposals at the following exhibitions:
17 – 19 July, Antrobus House, Amesbury
39 Salisbury Road Amesbury, Wiltshire, SP4 7HH
Thursday 17 July 1pm – 6 pm
Friday 18 July 1pm – 6 pm
Saturday 19 July 10 am – 5 pm
24 – 26 July, Society of Antiquaries, London
Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1J OBE
10 am – 5 pm daily
28 July – 17 October, Wyndham House, Salisbury
65 The Close, Salisbury, SP1 2EN
Monday – Friday. By arrangement during office hours – please call 01722 343830 to make an appointment
For more information, visit the English Heritage website
To download a Consultation Booklet, go to www.stonehengeconsultation.org
Background
One of the central planks of the current Management Plan for Stonehenge (adopted 1998) is the re-routing of the A303 away from the Stones and the closure of the A344 which runs right next to the monument. The Stonehenge Project, promoted in partnership by English Heritage, the National Trust and the Highways Agency, has the following aims:
- To remove the visual impact and noise of roads from the vicinity of Stonehenge
- To re-unite Stonehenge and its surrounding monuments in their natural chalk downland setting
- To create the conditions for improved biodiversity
- To provide improved access, enabling people to roam freely at no cost throughout the WHS
- To build a new world class visitor centre outside the WHS
The aims have virtually unanimous support; the means of achieving them do not. This debate has been around for over 20 years, more than 50 route options have been examined, at least five potential visitor sites have been explored in detail, and several tens of millions of pounds of public money have already been spent in search of solutions. Since 2002 alone expenditure has been around £22 million.
Present Position
- The proposal for a 2.1km bored tunnel past Stonehenge, plus other bypass and flyover solutions was tested at public inquiry in 2004, and recommended by the Inspector in 2005
- However, the construction costs have risen from and estimated £192 million in 2004, to c £292 million, with an anticipated overall scheme budget of some £500 million
- As this rather exceeds the budget, a review of options was requested by the Minister of State for Transport. Therefore the A303 Stonehenge Road Improvement is undergoing a scheme review and period of public consultation. The leaflet [should] have been circulated to all members of the NSC and the Culture Committee
- The planning application for a new visitor centre (outside the WHS) was submitted by English Heritage in summer 2005, and refused by the District Council despite being recommended for approval by its Northern Area Committee and Officers
- An appeal against the refusal was lodged by English Heritage late in 2005, and is currently going through that process; it is due to be reviewed in May or thereafter
The Culture Committee of the UK National Commssion
Representatives from the Highways Agency were invited to give a presentation to the Culture Committee on March 1. The Culture Committee recognises the importance of Stonehenge to the UK. Equally important is the the process, handling and outcome of the current scheme. A formal response was submitted to the Highway Agency on 19 April, 2006.
Members of the Culture Committee are independent experts acting in their own rights with regards to Committee business and providing advice on UNESCO-related matters.
Chair of the Culture Committee (Sue Davies) declared an interest in this matter. Sue Davies is the Chief Executive of Wessex Archaeology which has undertaken most of the investigatory and consultancy work associated with Stonehenge over the past 25 years, including work for the Highways Agency and English Heritage. Wessex is still working on the projects. However, the Chair is looking to help find a sensible, pragmatic, sustainable solution to the present position with the road and visitor centre, and will approach the matter from that point of view alone.
The UK National Commission, led by the Culture Committee, submitted a reponse to the Highways Agency's public consultation. download submission (April 19, 2006) The following steps are taken to gather information:
- Presentation by the Highways Agency to the Culture Committee (1 March)
- Representation at the Society of Antiquaries of London's conference (see below)
- Site visit to Stonehenge (4 April)
- Drafting of response and internal consultation within the National Commission
Further Information
Public Meetings and Conferences
31-3-2006 Stonehenge: a time for decisions
The Society of Antiquaries of London held a one-day seminar on 31 March 2006 to review options for the future of the Stonehenge landscape. Speakers from all the main stakeholder organisations debated the key issues, the current proposals, the processes by which decisions should be made, and the implications of different options that were the subject of public consultation and government review.
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