STONEHENGE AT RISK
PLEASE NOTE: This archive document is now obsolete and the information it contains may be inaccurate or wrong. We keep it on the website purely for historical interest and completeness.
SUPPORT THE STONEHENGE ALLIANCE
STONEHENGE THREATENED!
The unique landscape around Stonehenge, one of the world's most famous ancient monuments, is threatened by a major road scheme to turn the A303 into a dual carriageway all the way from London to the West Country.
Stonehenge is a World Heritage Site, which Britain is internationally committed to protect, but the Highways Agency plans to drive a new four lane highway right through this sensitive area, destroying irreplaceable archaeological evidence.
To alleviate its impact on the Stones, the authorities want to hide the road in a tunnel close to the Henge.
Unfortunately the chosen option is very destructive, involving the digging of two huge trenches to cut and then cover two tunnels, which would permanently damage the integrity of the site. The peace of this mysterious and sacred landscape would be shattered by noisy dual carriageways, securely fenced off, with long cuttings leading down to the tunnel entrances, illuminated day and night.
WE MUSTN'T ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN!
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?
- Protect the whole World Heritage Site Ensure minimum disturbance to the vulnerable earthworks and archaeology of the whole sacred site. Protect and restore its delicate grasslands.
- Minimise the impact of the roads Close the A344. Hide the A303 in a long-bored tunnel, instead of the more destructive cut and cover tunnel. No new fences. No new cuttings. No intrusive lighting. No new artificial earthworks. No increase in noise.
- Relocate the Visitors Centre Ensure that the Visitors Centre and visitor access are properly designed and managed to provide visitor enjoyment without damaging Stonehenge's ancient tranquillity.
- Follow the Management Plan - NOT the Master Plan The authorities have developed a Management Plan for Stonehenge, agreed by a wide range of local and national organisations and approved in principle by UNESCO, which aims to conserve and protect the whole World Heritage Site. The 'Master Plan' currently being followed by the Highways Agency is incompatible with these aims.
WHAT WE WANT
- The long bored tunnel alternative was originally championed by both English Heritage and the National Trust. As proposed by ICOMOS UK, UNESCO's World Heritage Site watchdog, the alternatives, including the long-bored tunnel, should be assessed on equal terms with the cut and cover tunnel scheme.
- Local transport studies should be done now and steps taken to reduce and manage traffic. Visitor access must include improved public transport from neighbouring centres.
- Winterbourne Stoke's bypass should be treated separately from the Stonehenge scheme.
- The new visitor centre at Countess Roundabout should be designed to provide a good level of information and services without compromising the protection of the World Heritage Site.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
Ask UNESCO to place Stonehenge on the List of World Heritage in Danger. Write and encourage others to write to the Government, to English Heritage and to the National Trust, asking them to:
- observe the World Heritage Convention and the Management Plan by recognising the value of the whole Stonehenge landscape and conserving it for future generations
- oppose the release of National Trust inalienable land for dual carriageways and cut-and-cover tunnels
- put aside the Stonehenge �Master Plan' road scheme and assess the long bored tunnel option and
- seek funding to implement the right solution.
CONTACTS
- The Director, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, 7 Place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris, France
- The Secretary of State for the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions, Eland House, Bressenden Place, London SW1E 5DU
- The Secretary of State for the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR
- The Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA
- The Chairman, English Heritage, 23 Savile Row, London W1X 1AB
- The Director-General, The National Trust, 36 Queen Anne's Gate, London SW1H 9AS
Please copy your letters to us and tell us if you would like to be kept informed.
CAMPAIGNING COSTS MONEY - PLEASE HELP BY MAKING A DONATION
The Stonehenge Alliance consists of: The Council for the Protection of Rural England; Friends of the Earth; RESCUE The British Archaeological Trust; Save our Sacred Sites; and Transport 2000; and has the support of many other interested organisations and individuals.
For more information, visit the web site at www.savestonehenge.org.uk or contact any of the Stonehenge Alliance organisations listed above