The Government’s decision today to go ahead with new visitor facilities for Stonehenge has been welcomed by English Heritage and the National Trust.
Together with integrated proposals to close the A344, this decision will improve the monument’s setting and presentation to visitors.
Professor Sir Barry Cunliffe, Chairman, English Heritage, said: 'Our vision has always been to restore a sense of dignity to the setting of Stonehenge and to improve its visitor facilities.
'English Heritage has now secured, through working with the Department of Culture Media and Sport and a group of stakeholders, an agreed location for new visitor facilities in accordance with the World Heritage Site Management Plan. This will lead to a pragmatic and affordable scheme which will make significant and vitally-needed improvements to what we have now.'
The chosen site, Airman’s Corner, is about 2.5km (1.5 miles) west from the current visitor centre, on the junction of the A344 and A360. It is at the edge of the World Heritage Site and has good access to the Stones. The decision has been welcomed by The National Trust, the UK Commission for UNESCO, the South West of England Regional Development Agency, and South West Tourism, among others.
The scheme will include an efficient, all-weather visitor transit system, offering visitors the convenience of being dropped off near the monument. It is envisaged the new site will enable increased educational and interpretation facilities.
Sir Barry added: 'Airman’s Corner had wide support and is the unanimous recommendation of the project team, supported by the major heritage groups and the landowners. I congratulate the Government for making this decisive and timely move. It is in the public interest for everyone who cares about Stonehenge and its conservation to be united in supporting this scheme and ensuring that the project is successfully delivered on time.
'I am also delighted to announce that after a tendering process leading architectural firm Denton Corker Marshall has been appointed to design the new centre. The design will pay special regard to the sensitive landscape and other environmental issues.'
Dame Fiona Reynolds, Director-General of the National Trust,said:
'We are delighted by this latest step forward in developing a new visitor centre for Stonehenge and improving the surrounding landscape. The new facilities will significantly enhance the experience for the many thousands of visitors to this important landmark and the other planned work has the potential to greatly improve the setting of the monument. We look forward to working with English Heritage and other partners in helping take the project forward.'
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Closure of the A344
The A344/A303 junction (Stonehenge Bottom) will be closed, and the section of the A344 from Stonehenge Bottom to the Stones will be decommissioned and grassed over. This will reunite Stonehenge with the ancient processional Avenue and improve the setting of the monument. The junction closure will also eliminate a traffic black spot, leading to fewer accidents on this part of the A303. The remaining part of the A344 will be the route for the visitor shuttle service between Airman’s Corner visitor centre and the Stones.
Timetable
A planning application will be submitted in the late summer, when there will be further public consultation on the scheme. Construction work is expected to take place in 2011, with the new visitor facilities scheduled to open in 2012, in time for the London Olympics.
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