Friends of the Earth: Press Briefing: 17 November 2003
LAST CHANCE TO SAVE THE STONEHENGE LANDSCAPE?
Friends of the Earth South West England
The UK Government's Highways Agency plans to scar the World Heritage Site of Stonehenge with an enormous widening scheme for the A303 trunk road. The ancient landscape, described as the 'most sensitive archaeological site in Europe', would be irreparably damaged by over 2 kilometres of above ground road works: dual carriageways, deep cuttings and slip roads.
Ironically this destructive project is described as the 'Stonehenge Improvement' and as 'an exceptional environmental scheme'. This is justified by the sinking of the road nearest to the Stones themselves into a tunnel. The Stones however, while the best known and most striking feature, are but one part of 'one of the most spectacular ritual and ceremonial, cultural landscapes in Europe'. This vital importance of the landscape as a whole led to the designation of a World Heritage Site four kilometres across. And now more than half this span is threatened with the intrusion of 21st century highway engineering.
If these plans go ahead, the A303 will become the largest single visible human feature in a landscape that has evolved over millennia, for the sake of a few short years' relief from traffic jams.
In February 2004 a Public Inquiry will begin into the Highways Agency's plans. The Stonehenge Alliance, a coalition including some of the UK's leading transport and environment campaign groups, will be arguing the case against the scheme.
Better alternatives, including the option of a four kilometre tunnel under almost the whole World Heritage Site, may exist but are not on offer. Until they are, the Alliance will argue that it is better to leave the Stonehenge landscape as it is than to add to the damage it has already suffered.
ALL MAIN OBJECTORS AND INQUIRY PERSONNEL WILL BE ATTENDING A PRE-INQUIRY MEETING AT THE GUILDHALL, SALISBURY AT 1:30 P.M. ON MONDAY 17TH NOVEMBER 2003