Support for the 2.1 km tunnel at Stonehenge continues

English Heritage and many others believe that the published scheme, which involves the building of a 2.1km long bored tunnel past Stonehenge, would bring immeasurable benefits, both practical and cultural. We also believe that, in the absence of any other viable or affordable scheme, rejection of this one would invite decades of inactivity, or, worse still, an expedient transport solution which would be genuinely damaging.

Below is a selection of quotes from individuals and organisations who support the scheme:

“The 2.1 km bored tunnel remained the best option to deliver both the critical infrastructure and environment improvements to Stonehenge. Of the five options, it most closely meets the objectives of the World Heritage Site Management Plan.” Geoff Hobbs, Salisbury District Council’s transport planner, in his report to the Council’s North Area Committee, 30 March 2006

“The Published Scheme …has many advantages for the better management of Stonehenge and its associated monuments within the WHS, benefits that are not shared by any of the alternative off-line options. In addition, Council recognises the synergies that can be created by the on-line tunnel and the siting of the proposed new Visitor Centre at Countess Roundabout. Such a combination will both provide a significantly enhanced visitor experience and learning opportunity for appreciating Stonehenge in its cultural and natural chalk downland setting and enable the managing agencies to improve and manage public access on to this sensitive landscape more effectively.” The Council of The Society of Antiquaries of London, in their formal response to the Government’s road options review, issued in April 2006 and published on their website

“This option (the published scheme), along with the re-sited visitor centre, will vastly enhance the understanding a visitor can gain of one of the greatest achievements of our prehistory.” Professor John C Barrett, Department of Archaeology, University of Sheffield, letter to The Guardian, 17 June 2006

“In an ideal world longer bored-tunnel solutions might bring maximum benefits, but they would also add significantly to engineering and hydrological difficulties. Therefore the UKNC considers that the Published Scheme is the best balanced option for achieving a sustainable solution to meet the objectives of the Management Plan, the principles of the [World Heritage] Convention and deriving substantial public benefit.” The Culture Committee of the UK National Commission for UNESCO (UKNC)

“The published route offers us not only the best alternative; it could also be completed far more quickly than any of the others, having already been recommended by a full statutory public inquiry… Further delay would be a serious blow to the south-west region, for which the A303 is an important strategic link for commercial and tourist traffic. We urge a start date in 2007, which could mean that the tunnel would be open by the time of the Olympic Games, and believe that funding for the scheme should be found outside the regional allocation for the south-west, which cannot be expected to bear the burden of protecting this World Heritage Site.” David Holmes, Chairman, RAC Foundation for Motoring Ltd, in a letter to Sir Neil Cossons, 28 April 2006

 

“…many archaeologists and members of the public support the published scheme as a realistic and acceptable solution. It would bring enormous benefits to Stonehenge: directly and indirectly it would immeasurably improve the public’s experience of the monument and landscape, and lead to enhanced understanding and conservation of ouir heritage, benefit local ecology and of course remove a fatal accident prone traffic bottleneck. “ Aubrey Burl, Mike Pitts and Julian Richards in a letter to The Times, 23 February 2006

“For yet another year, the roaring A303 will rip through the heart of the Summer Solstice celebrations at Stonehenge.The shameful state of this cultural and historical treasure was labelled a ‘national disgrace’ thirteen years ago and yet we're still waiting for action. I urge the Government to adopt the tunnel scheme approved by the public. Let this be the last Summer Solstice darkened by the shadow of Government inaction and delay." Liberal Democrat Arts and Culture Spokesperson, Paul Holmes MP, on the eve of this year’s Summer Solstice

“It is clear that the deep-bore tunnel is the only option which meets the needs of this complex World Heritage Site. Without it North Dorset residents travelling east will continue to suffer the misery of summer traffic queues. To do nothing is to condemn the stones to another 15 years of uncertainty. The government must stop burying the issue in debate, and start burying the road in the chalk." Robert Walter, MP for North Dorset, 22 June 2006