Stonehenge will be reunited with its natural landscape by 2008
Submitted by vicky on Tuesday, 10 December 2002 Page Views: 1286
Stonehenge
The Minister was reacting to today's package of transport improvements, announced by the Secretary of State for Transport, Alastair Darling, which included proposals for the A303.
Tessa Blackstone said:
A This is a great day for Stonehenge. The decision to go ahead with a bored tunnel near the site is a better solution than previous plans for a cut and cover tunnel. It will ensure Stonehenge is reunited with its surrounding monuments in their natural downland landscape setting, protect the site from heavy traffic, and make possible the construction of a world class visitor centre.
A Stonehenge is one of this country's great heritage attractions and one of the most important World the site and inadequate transport links have prevented visitors from experiencing the real majesty and mystery of the stones. The tunnel along with improved visitor facilities will deliver many of the objectives of the Management Plan for the Stonehenge World Heritage Site. It will ensure that future generations will have better access to the site and a more informed experience."
Sir Neil Cossons, Chairman of English Heritage, said: "This is fantastic news. We very warmly welcome the Secretary of State for Transport's decision for a 2.1km bored tunnel on the A303 adjacent to Stonehenge.
"Today's news is an important moment in Stonehenge's 5000 year history. It means that Stonehenge gets the dignified setting it so justly deserves, the roads are made safer and the core area of the World Heritage Site landscape is reunited.
"We are pleased that the Transport Secretary has fully taken our recent advice on this issue that a cut and cover tunnel is now unacceptable."
Professor Barry Cunliffe, Institute of Archaeology, Oxford, said: "This is wonderful news that will safeguard Stonehenge and its landscape and shows at last that all of Government is taking responsibility for the historic environment."
The Minister said that the Government had considered a number of tunnel options for the site both in terms of type of construction and length. The additional work done by the Highways Agency had shown that a bored tunnel, although more expensive, delivered the be st solution in terms of protecting the archaeological heritage and wider environmental concerns. There were also transport advantages, particularly during construction.
Tessa Blackstone concluded:
A As well as the major benefits to Stonehenge the Government's plans for the A303 will have many other advantages. They will improve traffic flow, considerably improve access to the South West for both visitors and industry, and relieve local villages of heavy congestion.
A I am delighted that this decision has been agreed. We can now press ahead with our plans to complete the Stonehenge project in line with our original timetable of 2008. Draft orders for construction of the road will be published early next year.
Source: Department for Culture, Media and Sport Press Release 10/12/02
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