Stonehenge: Recent parliamentary questions
Last revised: 28 October 2003This information has been extracted from Hansard using the UK Parliament website.
- 20 March 2002: Lord Marlesford: Public inquiry into Stonehenge scheme:
- 20 March 2002: Lord Marlesford: Requirements to seek funding to protect Stonehenge:
- 20 March 2002: Mr Robert Key: Timetable for Stonehenge scheme and associated works:
- 13 March 2002: Lord Marlesford: Costing of long-bore tunnel and comparison with cut-and-cover:
- 5 March 2002: Lord Marlesford: Members of Stonehenge Master Plan Steering Group and requirements to protect the site under the World Heritage Convention:
- 14 Feb 2002: Mr Laurence Robertson: Statement about Stonehenge:
- 20 April 2000: Mr Robert Key: Stonehenge: Developer of visitor centre
- 20 April 2000: Mr Robert Key: Countess Road, Amesbury
- 07 April 2000: Mr Robert Key: Representations on Parker scheme
- 30 March 2000: Mr Robert Key: Operator of visitor centre
- 21 Dec 1999: Mr Robert Key: Stonehenge commercial bids
- 14 Dec 1999: Lord Brabazon of Tara: Bypass construction
- 06 Dec 1999: Mr Robert Key: Salisbury Plain
- 11 November 1999: Mr Robert Key: Free access to new visitor centre
- 11 November 1999: Lord Kennet: International obligations, etc.
- 10 November 1999: Lord Kennet: Commercial outlets, etc.
- 08 November 1999: Lord Kennet: World Heritage Site land use
- 04 November 1999: Lord Kennet: Editorial control, visitor numbers...
- 02 November 1999: Lord Kennet: Public consultation on A303 dualling
- 19 October 1999: Mr Robert Key: Cost of public consultations and proposals
- 28 July 1999: Lord Kennet: Request for scheme assessment to be made available
- 13 July 1999: Lord Kennet: Drawings of scheme during destruction of landscape
- 2 July 1999: Mr Peter Ainsworth: Stonehenge progress
- 24 June 1999: Lord Kennet: Five questions on Stonehenge scheme
- 22 June 1999: Lord Kennet: Preferred route, environmental Assessment
- 14 Jan 1999: Lord Kennet: Academic study of heritage value
- 12 Jan 1999: Lord Kennet: Why no examination of costs of bored tunnel?
- 15 Dec 1998: Lord Kennet: General queries, why cut-and-cover, millennium celebrations
- 19 Nov 1998: Mr Robert Key: English Heritage contributions
- 20 Oct 1998: Mr Robert Key: Plans and representations
- 19 Oct 1998: Mr Robert Key: General and Long Barrow crossroads
- 31 Jul 1998: Mr Robert Key: General welcoming of scheme
- 19 May 1998: Lord Kennet: Public expenditure on Stonehenge studies
20 March 2002: Lord Marlesford
Lord Marlesford asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they intend to hold a public inquiry into the proposed A303 Stonehenge (Amesbury to Berwick Down) improvement scheme; if so, when it will be set up; and where it will be held.[HL3010]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The decision on the need for a public inquiry into the A303 Stonehenge improvement scheme will be taken in the light of the nature and weight of objections to the statutory proposals due to be published towards the end of this year. It is too early to set a date or venue for an inquiry, although the venue will be in the vicinity.
20 March 2002: Mr Robert Key
Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the timetable is for the laying of orders, planning procedures and construction in respect of the A303 (T) relating to (a) Winterbourne Stoke Bypass, (b) the Amesbury to
20 Mar 2002 : Column: 360W
Berwick Down improvement scheme, (c) the Countess Roundabout flyover and Stonehenge Visitors Centre access and (d) the Folly Bottom interchange. [44429]
Mr. Jamieson: The Highways Agency is planning to publish draft orders for the A303 Stonehenge Improvement in December 2002. This scheme, formerly known as the Amesbury to Berwick Down Improvement, incorporates a bypass of Winterbourne Stoke and a flyover at Countess Roundabout. Subject to the making of statutory orders, it is intended that construction will start in the spring of 2005.
The agency proposes to publish the made orders for the Folly Bottom interchange in April 2002. Preliminary works are expected to start in June 2002 and the main works in September 2002.
The Stonehenge Visitors Centre is the responsibility of English Heritage who will in due course be discussing access arrangements with the Highways Agency.
20 March 2002: Lord Marlesford
Lord Marlesford asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What steps they are taking to ensure that sufficient funds are available for the appropriate protection of the Stonehenge, Avebury and associated sites world heritage site, as required under Article 151, paragraph 2, of the treaty establishing the European Community.[HL3199].
Baroness Blackstone: Article 151 of the EC treaty does not impose any requirements for action on individual member states. That article is concerned with defining the scope of Community action in the field of culture and cultural heritage.
As I explained to the noble Lord in my Written Answer of 5 March (WA 8), the Government take very seriously their responsibilities under the World Heritage Convention for the 24 world heritage sites situated in this country and its overseas territories. The Government have taken an active role in the establishment and implementation of management plans for the Stonehenge and Avebury parts of that world heritage site which identify and address the key issues affecting its current and future condition. Within the framework provided by the Stonehenge management plan, the Government are fully involved in the ongoing disucussions about the Stonehenge master plan proposals for a new road layout and visitor centre in the immediate environs of the world heritage site.
The improvement of the A303 at Stonehenge is included in the Government's targeted programme of trunk road schemes (TPI) and its primary objective is exceptional environmental improvement. The scheme, which includes a 2km tunnel, is currently estimated to cost in the region of £130 million and will be funded jointly by the Highways Agency and English Heritage.
13 March 2002: Lord Marlesford
Lord Marlesford asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they have ensured that the Highways Agency, in inviting tenders for the A303 Stonehenge (Amesbury to Berwick Down) improvement scheme, will specify proposals for the long bored tunnel (as advised by ICOMOS-UK) as well as for short cut-and-cover and short bored tunnel options. [HL3200]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: In line with the scheme announced in A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England, the tenders invited for the A303 Stonehenge scheme require proposals for illustrative designs for either a 2km cut-and-cover or a 2 bored tunnel.
The International Council on Monuments and Sites—UK has asked for a comparison to be made between our proposal and a 4km long bored tunnel. This has been discussed with the council and the comparison will be covered in the environmental statement.
Lord Marlesford asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they have secured funding for the long bored tunnel for the A303 at Stonehenge. [HL3201]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Government's proposal is for a 2km length of cut-and-cover tunnel as announced in 1998 in A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England. Funding for the scheme is planned on that basis.
5 March 2002: Lord Marlesford
Lord Marlesford asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is the current status of the Stonehenge Master Plan Steering Group; who sits on it; and by whom the members were appointed. [HL3009]
The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Baroness Blackstone): I chair the Stonehenge Master Plan Steering Group, which directs the implementation of the project to improve the setting of Stonehenge within the world heritage site. The group is made up of representatives of the World Heritage Site Management Plan Implementation Group, English Heritage, the National Trust, English Nature, Wiltshire County Council, Salisbury District Council, Amesbury Town Council, DTLR, the Highways Agency and the Government Office of the South West. Sir Jocelyn Stevens is also a member. The members are appointed by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
Lord Marlesford asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the United Kingdom is obliged by the World Heritage Convention to protect and conserve the whole of Stonehenge, Avebury and associated sites world heritage site; or whether this protection can be confined to the area nearest to the Stonehenge stones. [HL3011]
Baroness Blackstone: The World Heritage Convention places responsibilities on the Government to ensure the effective protection, conservation and presentation of the 24 world heritage sites in the UK and its overseas territories. Management plans are in place for both the Stonehenge and Avebury parts of that world heritage site. These plans identify and address the key issues affecting the current and future condition of the whole site. Within the framework provided by the relevant management plan, the Government are embarking on an ambitious programme to remove the roads and associated noise and pollution from the immediate vicinity of the stones; reunite the stones with the surrounding monuments; and allow visitors to move freely about the wider landscape and thereby better understand the context of Stonehenge within the world heritage site.
14 Feb 2002: Mr Laurence Robertson
Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on proposals to create a tunnel at Stonehenge. [35560]
Mr. Jamieson [holding answer 12 February 2002]: I have been asked to reply.
The proposals to build a 2 km cut and cover tunnel to take the A303 past Stonehenge were announced in July 1998 in "A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England" as an "exceptional environmental scheme". They are the central component of a wider set of proposals, set out in the Stonehenge master plan to restore the world heritage site and the scheduled ancient monument to its pre-historic setting.
The Highways Agency is currently seeking feasibility proposals and costs from the construction industry which include two options for the tunnel: a 2 km cut and cover tunnel and a 2 km shallow bored tunnel. The proposals will be scrutinised carefully to ensure that they meet the agreed requirements for this archaeologically important site, offer value for money and deliver the best balance of benefits.
The aim is to begin the necessary statutory procedures later this year. Subject to the outcome, construction could start in 2005.
20 April 2000: Mr Robert Key
Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will announce the preferred developer of the Stonehenge visitor centre; and if he will make a statement. [119786]Mr.
Alan Howarth: A further statement will
be made as soon as it is appropriate.
20 April 2000: Mr Robert Key:
Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the properties in Countess Road, Amesbury (a) which have been purchased on behalf of English Heritage and (b) on which there is an option to purchase on behalf of English Heritage; and if he will make a statement. [119787]Mr.
Alan Howarth: English Heritage owns 18
Countess Road and a small paddock which is accessed from Countess Road
and has an option to acquire land at Countess East which includes 14 and
16 Countess Road.
07 April 2000: Mr Robert Key
Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations (a) he, (b) his Ministers or (c) his officials have received from Councillor Ricky Rogers concerning the ACT Parker plan to remove the A303 (T) from the Stonehenge World Heritage Site; and if he will make a statement. [118233]Mr.
Alan Howarth: No such representations have
been received by my Department at either ministerial or official level.
30 March 2000: Mr Robert Key
Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the preferred commercial operator of the proposed visitor centre at Stonehenge has been chosen; and if he will make a statement. [116486]Mr.
Alan Howarth [holding answer 28 March
2000]: No decision has yet been made. English Heritage is still in
confidential commercial negotiations with shortlisted bidders. The outcome
of these negotiations will be announced as soon as possible.
21 Dec 1999: Mr Robert Key
Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the bids received by English Heritage in respect of the Stonehenge Visitors Centre project have been evaluated and by whom; what is the timescale for consequent decisions; whether the bids have been seen and considered by (a) the National Trust, (b) the Ministry of Defence, (c) the DETR and (d) Salisbury District Council; and when their comments will be (i) considered by him and (ii) published. [103408]Mr.
Alan Howarth: The preferred commercial
operator of the new visitor centre will be chosen by a selection panel
which is made up of commissioners and senior staff of English Heritage,
council members and senior staff of the National Trust and a senior member
of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The panel have been provided
with a wide range of professional and technical advice and the Highways
Agency, English Nature, Salisbury District Council and Wiltshire County
Council have all been consulted. The Ministry of Defence is not involved
in the selection of the operator for the new visitor centre. The panel
met with representatives of the short listed bidders on 16 December and
hopes to make an announcement of the preferred bidder early in 2000. Salisbury
District Council will, in due course, consider a planning application submitted
by the preferred bidder. It is not possible at this stage to give an accurate
estimate of the timescale for the consultations that will follow the selection
of the bidder.
14 Dec 1999: Lord Brabazon of Tara
Lord Brabazon of Tara asked Her Majesty's Government:- How many new bypasses were started on English
trunk roads in each of the last 10 years: and how many are to be started
in the next three years.[HL75]
In the next three years we plan to start work on 16 of the bypasses.
Starts on the remaining four schemes, including Stonehenge, are subject to the completion of statutory procedures.
In addition, 23 bypass schemes have been referred to be considered by regional planning bodies, local authorities or through roads-based or multi-modal studies. Only two bypass schemes, Salisbury and Hereford, have been cancelled for environmental reasons.
The pattern of bypass starts has fluctuated over the past 10 years. In the early nineties, following a major expansion of the road programme, bypass starts in each year were:
| Year | |
| 1989/90 | 12 |
| 1990/91 | 11 |
| 1991/92 | 18 |
| 1992/93 | 5 |
| 1993/94 | 12 |
In 1993/94 the last administration
began to progressively cut the roads programme and starts fell as follows:
Mr.
Kilfoyle: My officials have not had direct
discussions with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on the
proposed extension of the World Heritage Site (WHS). However members of
Defence Estate, Land Command and DCMS staff sit on various working groups
run by English Heritage connected with the Stonehenge World Heritage Site
(WHS) Management and Master Plans. A number of these groups have considered
the boundaries of the World Heritage Site.
Mr.
Alan Howarth: The Stonehenge Master Plan
sets out clearly that access to the Stones and the wider World Heritage
Site will be free for all and that free transport will be provided from
the visitor centre to the drop off point. The information pack circulated
to bidders stipulates that they should provide free parking for: local
residents with existing arrangements and for members of English Heritage
and the National Trust. This includes members of other heritage organisations,
such as the National Trust for Scotland, which have reciprocal arrangements.
Proposed arrangements for admission to the Visitor Centre will be assessed
in considering the final submissions received from bidders.
11 Nov 1999 : Column WA221
Lord
Kennet: asked Her Majesty's Government:
From
time to time English Heritage has commissioned design material to inform
and explain elements of the Stonehenge Master Plan to the general public.
This work has included the Master Plan brochure, newsletters, exhibition
and display material and a new Stonehenge logo for use in the marketing
launch. Firms used include Atelier Works, Redwood Publishing Ltd. and Uffindell
West Ltd.
Lord
Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, as stated in the Halcrow
Report, Ministers decided in November 1997 that the improvements to the
Stonehenge World Heritage Site to which English Heritage and the National
Trust had committed themselves in 1995 should not be supported; and, if
so, on what advice that decision was taken.[HL4668]
Year
1994/95
4
1995/96
3
1996/97
1
1997/98
2
1998/99
0
06 Dec 1999: Mr Robert Key
Mr.
Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what
discussions he or his officials have had with the Department of Culture,
Media and Sport about the extension of the Stonehenge
World Heritage Site boundaries into the Salisbury Plain training area,
including Robin Hood's Ball. [101399]
11 Nov 1999: Mr Robert Key
Mr.
Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture,
Media and Sport if people using the proposed new visitors' centre at Stonehenge
who are (a) members of English Heritage, (b) members of the
National Trust, (c) members of the National Trust for Scotland and
(d)
local people exercising their right of free access to the stones will be
charged for (i) car parking (ii) access to the visitors' centre and (iii)
access to the stones. [98047]
11 Nov 1999: Lord Kennet
Lord
Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the intended relationship
between the Stonehenge World Heritage Site Management Plan (which is to
be submitted to UNESCO) and the Stonehenge Master Plan, which is not; and
whether the two plans are compatible.[HL4504]
Lord
McIntosh of Haringey: The Stonehenge
World Heritage Site Management Plan is being drawn up in response to the
international obligation to produce such plans for all World Heritage Sites.
It sets out objectives for the conservation and presentation of the Stonehenge
World Heritage Site and suggests a detailed programme of action that is
achievable. It provides the overarching framework within which the Stonehenge
Master Plan will be implemented. This will improve the presentation of
the monument, in particular the setting of Stonehenge by removal of the
roads that pass close to the site and the establishment of a new visitor
centre. The Government are satisfied that the two plans are fully compatible.
How English Heritage has spent
£96,237 in the last year on legal fees relating to the proposed new
Visitors' Centre for Stonehenge World Heritage Site; what has been achieved
by publication relations and consultancy firms fees amounting to £179,751
paid by English Heritage; and what firms have received these sums (HC Deb,
19 October, WA 427). [HL4375]
Lord
McIntosh of Haringey: In 1998-99
and 1999-2000 English Heritage has commissioned legal work on a variety
of matters, including planning, highways and road closure orders, procurement
issues and general advice in relation to the tendering process for the
design, finance, building and operation of the new Visitor Centre, negotiation
of a contract to purchase land as a site for the new Visitor Centre at
Countess East and acquisition of land adjacent to the Countess East site,
project documentation for licences and agreements with the National Trust
and other adjoining landowners, title matters, advising on employment and
TUPE issues. Firms used include Norton Rose, Charles Russell and Bevan
Ashford.
Why there has been no contribution
to funding the improvements now necessary within the Stonehenge World Heritage
Site from the Lottery or the Millennium Funds; and whether, in the light
of the damage to the site identified in the 1998 Report to the Highways
Agency from Messrs Halcrow as deriving from the "Master Plan", they will
now seek funding sufficient for the improvements to which English Heritage
and the National Trust committed themselves in 1995; and[HL4667]
Lord
McIntosh of Haringey: The 1996
Stonehenge Millennium Park bid submitted to the Millennium Commission by
English Heritage and the National Trust was unsuccessful. An application
will be made by English Heritage to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a contribution
to the roads improvements which are aimed at bringing substantial heritage
and environmental benefits. The planning conference in 1995 supported,
in principle, a number of proposed measures to improve the setting of Stonehenge
and its environs. These included the construction of "a long tunnel under
the Stonehenge site" to take the A.303. However it recognised that finding
the level of funding required would be problematic. At an estimated cost
of £300 million this option was considered by the Government to be
neither economic nor affordable. The report in 1998 to the Highways Agency
from Halcrow reviewed the English Heritage proposal for a 2 km tunnel and
comparative affordable option
Lord
McIntosh of Haringey: This report
was produced for Ministers in June 1998 as part of the work undertaken
for the roads review. Copies were placed in the Libraries of the House
and were made available to English Heritage, The National Trust, Wiltshire
County Council and Salisbury District Council. All these bodies are represented
on the Stonehenge World Heritage Site Management Group. Copies of the report
have also been supplied on request to the organisations RESCUE and to Ms
Kate Fielden, Mr Richard Wort and Mr C Woodford. We stand ready to fulfil
any further requests for copies.
South-West Multi-Modal Transport Study and Stonehenge
- Whether the Multi-Modal Transport
Study for the South West includes a study of the implications which the
proposed dualling of the A.303 through the Stonehenge World Heritage Site
will have for further dualling of the A.303 (for instance in the Blackdown
Hills); whether the currently proposed Stonehenge section is itself being
subjected to study in terms of the study's remit; and whether alternatives
to the currently proposed Stonehenge section are being examined.[HL4554]
10 Nov 1999: Lord Kennet
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:- What commercial outlets are being
envisaged by English Heritage for the Stonehenge World Heritage Site visitors
centre.[HL4323]
Any proposals for additonal uses or facilities will be considered on their merits.
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What assessments and what public
consultations underpin English Heritage's decision that a large commercially
operated visitors centre is appropriate for the Stonehenge World Heritage
Site.[HL4457]
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether English Heritage has been
given carte blanche by Ministers to choose a commercial operator for a
visitors centre for the Stonehenge World Heritage Site; and, if so, whether
one has yet been chosen.[HL4458]
- What criteria and what conditions
an operator for a visitors centre for the Stonehenge World Heritage Site
will be required to meet.[HL4459]
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether Ministers have been shown
mock-up pictures of how the Stonehenge World Heritage Site would look if
the currently proposed cut-and-cover tunnel and road-dualling throughout
the World Heritage Site were carried out, alongside pictures of the proposed
twin-bore tunnel.[HL4501]
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Who are the bidders for the commercial
operator licence to design, finance, build and operate a new visitors centre
for the Stonehenge World Heritage Site. [HL4502]
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will publish the instructions
and advice which they have given to, and questions which they have asked
of, firms in the course of commissioning estimates for a twin bore tunnel
at Stonehenge.[HL4394]
Agreement was reached that the estimated cost for twin bored tunnels over 4km long was in the order of £300 million inclusive of construction, design, servicing, survey work and allowing for the preliminary stage of assessment.
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the Highways Agency has
undertaken to construct a flyover for the A.303 at Countess Roundabout
in advance of the opening of a commercially-operated Visitors' Centre for
the Stonehenge World Heritage Site at Countess East, Amesbury, and, if
so, who would pay for it.[HL4460]
The
cost of the improvement would be split between DETR (the Highways Agency)
and heritage sources.
08 Nov 1999: Lord Kennet
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:- What bearing the common agricultural
policy has on land use in World Heritage Sites.[HL4441]
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the present state of planning
law and land use law in World Heritage Sites is adequate for the Government
to be able to fulfil their obligations under the World Heritage Convention;
and, if not, how they can improve it; and[HL4440]
Whether the laws of agricultural
tenancy differ in World Heritage Sites from elsewhere; and, if so, how.[HL4395]
Stonehenge
- Whether they support the draft
planning brief for the Stonehenge World Heritage Site visitors' centre
prepared by English Heritage's commercial agents, and particularly the
proposal that the commercial operator of the visitors' centre should provide
the heritage funding for improvements to the A.303 (including a cut-and-cover
tunnel) and a by-pass for Winterbourne Stoke.[HL4324]
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What are the "associated sites"
mentioned in English Heritage's appellation of the Stonehenge, Avebury
and Associated Sites World Heritage Site; and what management plan is being
prepared for them.[HL4503]
04 Nov 1999: Lord Kennet
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:- Whether English Heritage is to
retain full control over all the information, educational and other material
to be on offer at the World Heritage Site Visitors' Centre at Stonehenge;
and whether all material for sale or consultation will be archaeologically
accurate.[HL4321]
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the operator of the Stonehenge
World Heritage Site is being offered control over the level of parking
fees in the car parks attached to the Visitors' Centre; whether these car
parks are to be the only car parks within easy distance of the Stonehenge
World Heritage Site or of the stones themselves; whether the eventual developer
of the Visitors' Centre is to operate the present Visitors' Centre until
the A.344 is closed or until a flyover has been constructed at Countess
Roundabout; and what control is envisaged, particularly as regards parking
prices.[HL4322]
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether a comprehensive asssessment
of the number, behaviour and needs of visitors to Stonehenge is still not
available more than a year into the development of the master plan; and
how, if at all, a Visitors' Centre can be contracted, built and managed
without it.[HL4442]
A.303, Stonehenge
- How the Highways Agency has spent
£794,945 on the design of the Stonehenge part of the scheme for the
A.303--Berwick Down road scheme, seeing there is no publicly agreed proposal
for this; and how is the Stonehenge part of the scheme defined (HC Deb.,
19 October, WA 427). [HL4374]
02 Nov 1999: Lord Kennet
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:- Whether there has been a full assessment
of, and consultation with local authorities and public throughout the South
West on, the proposed dualling of the A.303 at Stonehenge.[HL4393]
number of possible options for the improvement of the A.303 trunk road at Stonehenge. This has involved consultation with local authorities and a large number of other bodies with an interest in the project as well as the effected local communities. A full assessment of the current proposal is being carried out as part of the ongoing work on the project.
19 Oct 1999: Mr Robert Key
Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in each year since the establishment of English Heritage, how much (a) his Department and its predecessors, (b) English Heritage, (c) other departments and (d) other agencies have spent on (i) public consultations, (ii) conferences, (iii) public exhibitions, (iv) public relations, design and other consultancy fees and (v) legal fees in connection with (1) the Stonehenge World Heritage Site, (2) proposals for a new visitors centre and (3) proposals for roads in the vicinity. [94153]Mr. Alan Howarth: Prior to 1990-91, English Heritage incurred no expenditure in respect of Stonehenge beyond that arising from its normal day-to-day responsibilities. Between 1990-91 and 1997-98, English Heritage spent some £3.7 million in relation to proposals for a new visitor centre and for improving the setting of the monument. However, the total expenditure cannot at this stage be readily apportioned to specific aspects of the project. From 1 April 1998 to date, English Heritage expenditure has been as follows:
| £ | |
|---|---|
| Stonehenge World Heritage Site Management Plan | |
| Public consultation | 47,678 |
| Public relations, design and other consultancy fees | 58,803 |
| Proposed new visitor centre | |
| Public exhibitions | 24,304 |
| Public relations, design and other consultancy fees | 48,966 |
| Legal fees | 96,237 |
Prior to 1 April 1996, the only expenditure by the Highways Agency that can be attributed solely to the Stonehenge element of the A303/Amesbury--Berwick Down scheme relates to a public consultation exhibition in 1993 costing £32,000 and a conference and exhibition in 1994 costing £78,000. Since then, they have spent £794,945 on the design of the Stonehenge part of the scheme. In addition to this, they mounted a public exhibition earlier this year (1999) at a cost of £48,000.
My Department, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and their predecessor Departments have not incurred any directly attributable costs in connection with Stonehenge. It is not possible meaningfully to apportion the cost of official time spent in respect of consultations and correspondence.
28 July 1999: Lord Kennet
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:- Whether they will place in the
Library of the House a copy of the assessment of roads, byways, etc. in
the Stonehenge World Heritage Site, which the Highways Agency conducted
in accordance with the new approach to appraisal, based on the concept
of environmental capital, together with the estimate of the environmental
capital value of the Stonehenge World Heritage Site and an account of how
this was worked out and by whom.[HL3781]
The review provides a record of the position at that time but it should be recognised that there has been subsequent public consultation prior to the announcement of the preferred route on 25 June 1999.
13 July 1999: Lord Kennet
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:- Whether they will ask English Heritage
to produce illustrations of the Stonehenge landscape during the multi-year
period of construction of the two kilometre cut-and-cover tunnel they propose,
and of the landscape with the scar of the cut-and-cover tunnel, similar
to the airbrushed illustrations of the Stonehenge landscape in the long
term, that is, when the tunnel has been completed and the scar mitigated
by the passage of time, which they publish in their documentation for the
Visitors Centre, or associated developments, and including illustrations
of the various portals of the tunnel and of the approach cuts for it, and
of the landscaping proposed in Stonehenge Bottom, all within the World
Heritage Site.[HL3516]
2 July 1999: Mr Peter Ainsworth
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the current status of his proposals for Stonehenge. [89434]Janet Anderson: Our proposals for improving the setting and presentation of the Stonehenge World Heritage Site continue to make excellent progress, thanks to co-operation across Government and the support of English Heritage, the National Trust and other interested parties. On 23 April my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State formally launched both the Master Plan for the site and the marketing process for development of the proposed new visitor centre. On 25 June my noble Friend, the Minister for Roads announced the preferred route for the A303 improvement scheme which will remove traffic from the vicinity of the monument.
24th June 1999: Lord Kennet
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:- Further to the Written Answer by
the Lord Whitty on 22 June (WA 72), whether the Highways Agency used an
assessment method for the proposed A.303 improvement scheme at Stonehenge
which includes heritage value or sustainability among its criteria.[HL3290]
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What figure for the heritage value
of the Stonehenge World Heritage Site the Highways Agency used in their
choice of a preferred route for the A.303 through the Stonehenge World
Heritage Site and how this compares with the figures proposed to the Parliamentary
Office of Science and Technology document, Tunnel Vision--the Future Role
of Tunnels in Transport Infrastructure, and in the Centre for Social and
Economic Research on the Global Environment study commissioned by English
Heritage.[HL3291]
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What figure the Highways Agency
used for the negative value (a) of the disruption that would be caused
during the cutting and covering of a two-mile tunnel in the Stonehenge
World Heritage Site to would-be visitors and others, and (b) of the permanent
damage that this cutting and covering would cause to the World Heritage
Site (including the permanent scar across the chalk landscape); and whom
they consulted in developing their own figures.[HL3292]
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the Highways Agency has
published the cost-benefit analyses of the alternative routes for the A.303;
and what bodies or individuals it consulted over the quality of the figures
and estimates that it used and of the long term effects on road traffic.[HL3293]
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the Highways Agency has
judged that the bored tunnel endorsed in 1994 by English Heritage and the
National Trust as "the only feasible . . . route . . . which meets the
essential requirements of this [Stonehenge] World Heritage Site" would
provide no significant environmental benefits beyond those provided by
the two-kilometre cut-and-cover tunnel: and, if so, on what grounds they
based this judgement.[HL3294]
22 June 1999: Lord Kennet:
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:- Whether the Highways Agency has
developed a preferred route for improving the A.303 through the Stonehenge
World Heritage Site; if so, whether this was in advance of any comprehensive
environmental assessment of the site, conducted in accordance with the
combined requirements of the Department of the Environment, Transport and
the Regions, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, English Heritage,
the National Trust, the International Commission on Monuments and Sites
and the statutory amenity societies; and, if so, whether they will now
commission such a study.[HL2853]
The announcement of the preferred route will be made this Friday, 25 June. However the scheme will be subject to further environmental assessment and consultation with statutory bodies and others prior to publication of the full Environmental Impact Assessment along with the necessary draft statutory orders which, if confirmed, would authorise construction of the project.
14 Jan 1999: Lord Kennet
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:- Whether English Heritage has commissioned,
or otherwise obtained, an academic study of the heritage value of Stonehenge;
if so, from whom; whether (a) Ministers and (b) the three Stonehenge
Working Parties have seen it; and whether it will be available for parliamentary
and public examination before the public inquiries which will consider
the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's most recent proposals.[HL253]
12 Jan 1999: Lord Kennet
Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:- Why the inter-departmental study
of the Stonehenge road problems conducted earlier this year did
not examine the costs of a twin bored tunnel for the A.303.[HL98]
15 Dec 1998: Lord Kennet
Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:- When proposals from (a) the Stonehenge
Working Group on Road Improvements and (b) the Working Group on the Stonehenge
Management Plan will be put out for public consultation; and what is the
relationship between these two groups and the group on the Master Plan,
all of which the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has established
to work on Stonehenge.[HL100]
Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
- Why the Master Plan for Stonehenge
outlined by the Secretary of State in Amesbury in September this year included
a cut-and-cover tunnel within the World Heritage Site, despite the consensus
established at the 1994 and 1995 public conferences in favour of a twin
bored tunnel as the most cost-effective way of dealing with the A.303 in
the World Heritage Site area of Stonehenge; and [HL97]
Whether they have been informed
by English Heritage why they no longer feel bound by the public pledge
they gave, jointly with the National Trust, in 1994: "Only . . . the long
bored tunnel . . . meets the essential requirements of this World Heritage
Site . . . There is no historic site in England where we shall uphold our
duty with greater resolve and determination".[HL99]
Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
- What preparations English Heritage
is making, with the voluntary sector, for the celebrations of the Millennium
at Stonehenge and Avebury.[HL102]
19 Nov 1998: Mr Robert Key
Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what sum of money English Heritage has agreed to contribute towards the proposed road works in the vicinity of Stonehenge. [59426]19 Nov 1998 : Column: 784
Mr. Chris Smith [holding answer 12 November 1998]: English Heritage has offered to contribute £10m towards the cost of these works.
20 October 1998: Mr Robert Key
Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the authors of representations he has received since his announcement in July concerning his plans for (a) the A303(T) and (b) the A36(T) in Wiltshire, indicating whether the representations are for or against his proposals. [54914]Ms Glenda Jackson [holding answer 19 October 1998]: Since July, we have received two representations in support of the A303 Chicklade Bottom to Mere scheme and five representations against the A303 Stonehenge cut-and-cover tunnel scheme; one other asked for technical details about the proposed tunnel construction
20 Oct 1998 : Column: 1097
alongside Stonehenge. There have been no representations about the A36(T). It would not be appropriate to publish the names of the authors of these representations as they have not given their permission for that.
19th October 1998: Mr Robert Key
Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how he will include a bypass of Chicklade in his A303(T) road improvement west of Stonehenge; [55296]- (2) how he will fund the A303(T)
improvement at Stonehenge announced on 31 July; [55294]
(3) if the A303(T) improvement at
Stonehenge
will include a grade-separated junction at Long Barrow Roundabout; and
what are the reasons for this decision. [55295]
19 Oct 1998 : Column: 901
sources will be for consideration nearer the time but are likely to include contributions from the Heritage Lottery Fund and from English Heritage's receipts from a new visitor centre at Stonehenge.
A grade separated junction to the west of Stonehenge at Long Barrow Roundabout will be one of the options to be considered at the detailed design stage in taking forward the Stonehenge proposals. A decision will be based on the five criteria used for the Roads Review.
A series of studies was announced in the Roads Review to look at the problems on the trunk road network not addressed by the targeted programme of improvements. One of these studies will be the corridor London to South West and South Wales. Amongst its aims will be to consider capacity problems on the single carriageway sections on the A303, matters of safety, and the impact caused by seasonal traffic. This will include the section A303 through Chicklade. A decision on a bypass around Chicklade will be taken in the light of the results of that study.
31 Jul 1998: Mr Robert Key
Mr. Robert Key (Salisbury): I warmly welcome the Minister's commitment to build the Stonehenge project within seven years. He knows that he can rely on me to give him every encouragement to ensure that it actually happens. Will he join me in thanking the National Trust for its constructive and helpful attitude in abandoning its objections to the building of a road on inalienable31 Jul 1998 : Column 663
property? Will he ensure, however,
that a grade separated junction is built at the western end, and that not
only the Winterbourne Stoke bypass, for which we are very grateful, but
the Chicklade bypass is built? Perhaps more important, will he explain
how the one third of funding for the project is going to come out of the
budget of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and whether that
will mean national lottery money, or money that is taken directly from
the Department's budget?
Dr. Reid: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his welcome for the scheme. On its funding, the details of which I shall communicate to him, I think that he is mistaken, but I shall want to clarify the exact technical details of it and write to him. The scheme does include the bypass of Winterbourne Stoke, as he said. I have noted his comments on the other matters that he has raised.
In general terms, today's decision on Stonehenge is very good news for the House. It shows that we have moved away from the days when we regarded trunk roads or other roads in an isolated fashion, just as concrete and as the only solution on every occasion. We have been able to highlight today our integrated approach by cross-departmental agreement, for which I pay tribute to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, but we have also been able to illustrate that transport is much more than just a link between areas: it is a method of access to elements of our history and heritage and therefore makes a major contribution to the quality of life. We have been able to do that today with the Stonehenge announcement, which is welcome news for the House as well as for the hon. Gentleman.
19 May 1998: Lord Kennet
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:- What, over the last two decades,
have been the cost to the public purse (including private finance initiative-related
costs) for studies, advice, consultancies conferences, publicity and consultations
relating to Stonehenge.[HL1625]