Stonehenge
Tunnel Inquiry |
A
public inquiry began on 17th Feb. 04 in Salisbury, Wiltshire, regarding
government
plans to build a road tunnel under Stonehenge. They claim the tunnel will restore
Salisbury Plain to a traditional, unspoilt chalk downlands and the famous
megaliths
to a prehistoric setting. Opponents of the project, The Stonehenge Alliance,
argued that the proposed 2.1km (1.3 mile) tunnel is too short, and will damage
important areas surrounding the ancient site, instead of protecting it.
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Latest
Stonehenge Tunnel news
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June 2007
There has still
been no decision made regarding the proposed Stonehenge tunnel -
we all wait apprehensively for any news.
March
2007
The earlier rejected plans for English
Heritage's proposed visitor-centre
have now been given 'conditional approval' after an appeal. The Secretary
of State has revealed that the new visitor-centre will only go ahead
once
the government
approves the published A303 roads scheme.
Leave
Stonehenge alone October 2006
Professor
Peter Fowler, an expert
on the Stonehenge landscape, spoke about the proposed tunnel
at a Council for British Archaeology event, celebrating the 20th
anniversary of
Stonehenge
and Avebury becoming a World Heritage Site. Prof Fowler suggested
that as no tunnel looks likely to be built, then the A303
should be kept
where
it is, adding, "because neither widening it nor allowing
it to career off sinuously to north or south is an option."
Professor
Fowler believes visitors to Stonehenge would appreciate and
enjoy the monument and surrounding landscape more by using, "low tech
interpretation at perimeter points, to encourage walkers,
cyclists and horse riders" is the best decision for the
Heritage site.
The government is still yet to make a decision,
after two public inquiries and last summer's public
consultation. The most recent inquiry recommended replacing
the road with a long tunnel, which the government rejected due to
the proposed cost, and has now called for further consultation
on all the
Stonehenge options.
New
visitor-centre plans turned down |
July
2005 Salisbury District Council has refused planning permission for English Heritage's
proposed £67
million visitor centre.
The plan was to build a new Stonehenge visitor-centre, 3km
east of the stones and close to the
A303/A345 roundabout junction.
Among reasons for the planning refusal is the fact that the new visitor centre
would rely
upon
the
provision
of
a
flyover
at Countess Roundabout - part of the A303 Trunk Road Stonehenge Improvement
Orders.
English Heritage has the right to re-submit their proposals and address the
issues surrounding
the
refusal.
Tunnel
proposal cost grows |
There
is now growing uncertainty regarding the flyover, mainly due to the predicted
cost - initially costs were estimated to be £183m, but
this has
now
risen
to £470m. The main reasons for the increase in estimated costs is the
discovery of very large quantities of soft, weak chalk and a high water table,
with the groundwater likely to rise to the surface during periods of heavy
rainfall.
Planning-inspectorate
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The site's
landowners, The National Trust, believe the proposed tunnel should be longer.
' The National Trust remains unconvinced
that the Government’s plan for a 2.1 kilometre tunnel will adequately safeguard
the integrity of the site. This is a special site, not least for the unique sense
of place which it inspires. We believe there are strong archaeological and curatorial
reasons for building as long a tunnel as can be achieved, to preserve and enhance
both the tangible and intangible qualities of the site.' (June 2003)
They are joined by groups such as: The Campaign to
Protect Rural England (CPRE), The Council for British Archaeology
(CBA), Icomos
( the international body representing conservation experts),
'Save Stonehenge', (which represents local campaigners) and the Friends
of the Earth. The Stonehenge Alliance believes the tunnel should
be doubled in length to 2.8 miles, and suggest that the proposed shorter tunnel
will damage the site for the sake of short term traffic congestion.
The CBA
commented:
'At Stonehenge of all places
- one of immense antiquity and Britain's premier international attraction - such
decisions require a long-term vision of centuries or even millennia, not just
decades.' (Dec.2002)
See CBA's statement: Brit
Arch
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Potential
problems with Tunnel plan |
The
campaigners are concerned that the tunnel portals will degrade the
landscape near
the ancient stones, including a Neolithic barrow within a few metres
of one of the proposed entrances, and that the new road and resulting
earthworks will affect
a large historic part of the area.
The new dual-carriageway will cross the Avenue
- the ancient track used by pilgrims to visit the stones.
A Bronze Age earthwork
- part of the ceremonial approach to the stones - would remain severed by the
A303.
The proposed scheme will impact on nine areas where archaeological remains
have been identified.
The opposition also suggests the proposed road will have
a damaging ecological impact on the Till and Avon rivers. The government has
resisted pleas to extend the proposed road scheme, and the planning inspector
can
only make a recommendation to the relevant ministers, Mr Darling and the Deputy
Prime Minister, John Prescott. They will make the final decision, and work will
begin by 2005 if the scheme is approved. Traffic would be re-routed underground
Stonehenge by 2008.
Campaign group Save Stonehenge fears that the inquiry will simply
'rubber stamp' a decision to construct the road that was made several
years ago. Save
Stonehenge was formed in 1999 and has a mailing list of 1500
supporters; its website attracts visitors from more than
30 different countries, reflecting
international concern in the issue. |
