Stonehenge: time for non-road solutions at Britain's greatest heritage site

News release: For immediate release: 08:00 Monday 23rd January 2006

Today's government announcement of five "new" road-building options for solving traffic problems on the A303 at Stonehenge has been dismissed as unrealistic and unhelpful by campaign group Save Stonehenge [1].

According to the group, which has campaigned on the issue since 1999, four of the five options are unrealistic alternatives that have previously been rejected. The fifth option, an upgrade of a roundabout and a small bypass for the nearby village of Winterbourne Stoke, will simply increase traffic on the A303 and add to pressure for a road upgrade through the Stonehenge World Heritage Site at some time in the future [2].

The British government has now been trying to find a road-based solution to traffic problems at Stonehenge for the best part of 20 years [3]-- entirely without success. Save Stonehenge argues the solution must not be part of the problem. Building more roads in a World Heritage Site already compromised by human intrusions is no way forward.

Instead, the group is calling on the government to explore solutions for Stonehenge and the A303 that do not require roadbuilding. One option could include the reinstatement of a rail connection between Salisbury and Amesbury, along the existing old railway line, bringing a sustainable solution for Stonehenge and benefits for local communities [4]. Greater investment in the London-Salisbury-Exeter railway line could help to address traffic problems on the A303. The A344, which runs very close to the stones, could be closed to traffic immediately, as UNESCO has repeatedly requested. This would bring immediate benefits to road safety on the A303 and to the stone circle.

A spokesman for Save Stonehenge said:

"These new options are reheated leftovers from the 1990s. They're a world away from the bold, creative, thinking that Stonehenge really needs."

He added:

"Europe's greatest monument deserves a respectful, sustainable solution that puts the integrity of the World Heritage Site above the needs of motorists. It does not need four lanes of brand new road through, under, over, or anywhere near it. It's time to scrap road options at Stonehenge entirely and look to light-rail systems and other non-road options."

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Notes to editors

1. Save Stonehenge! was established in March 1999 to fight plans to upgrade the A303 road to a dual carriageway through the Stonehenge World Heritage Site. It has over 1500 people, who oppose the government's plans, on its mailing list.
2. More details on the new options are available on the Highways Agency website: http://www.highways.gov.uk/stonehenge/
3. A full history of the Stonehenge saga can be found at: http://www.savestonehenge.org.uk/saga.html
4. Details of a light-rail proposal for Stonehenge are available at: http://www.savestonehenge.org.uk/byrail.html
5. An electronic version of this news release is available at http://www.savestonehenge.org.uk/ssnr230106.html