Chronology of the Stonehenge Project
2004
On 11 May 2004, the 12-week Public Inquiry into the Highways Agency’s proposals for the A303 at Stonehenge ended.
The National Trust supports the objective of a road tunnel to remove the visual intrusion and noise associated with the A303, helping to re-unite the Stones with the rich historic landscape surrounding them and restoring Stonehenge to a place of tranquillity.
However, at the Public Inquiry we objected to the detailed proposals and are unconvinced that the proposed 2.1km bored tunnel for the A303 adequately fulfils this objective and safeguards the World Heritage Site’s significance and special spirit of place.
At the Inquiry, we presented evidence to show that far from delivering the declared objectives of the scheme, the proposed 2.1km tunnel compromised them and that this could be avoided by lengthening the tunnel to at least 2.9km.
2005
The Inquiry Inspector delivered his report on the proceedings to Government in January 2005 and it was made public in July of the same year.
Based on his analysis of the evidence, the Inspector disagreed with our view and concluded that the 2.1km tunnel was an appropriate scheme for Stonehenge and that the Government proceed to grant the Orders necessary to begin building the scheme.
The Highways Agency's evidence to the Public Inquiry indicated that the construction cost of the scheme would be £192m but their most recent estimate puts the cost at some £470m.
The Government, concerned with these cost increases has not proceeded to grant the Orders, and instead announced a detailed review of the options to ease congestion on the A303 and improve the setting around Stonehenge.
We continue to believe that reuniting the ancient stones with the surrounding landscape requires a tunnel of at least 2.9km.
2006
The A303 Stonehenge Improvement Scheme Review consultation launched in January 2006.
On 17 March 2006, leading independent conservation organisations, including the National Trust, met to agree a common view of this Review.
Emerging from this meeting was a strong consensus on the issues underlying the A303 consultation, on a vision for the Stonehenge World Heritage Site, on strategies for the way forward to achieve this vision, and on the potential for huge public value that an unencumbered World Heritage Site could deliver.
The A303 Stonehenge Improvement Scheme Review consultation ended on 24 April 2006.
In response to the Review, we have reaffirmed what we said at the Public Inquiry: that there are significant advantages to be gained from a tunnel longer than the Published Scheme, with none of the five options on which the Government is consulting acceptable.
As the Government has made it clear that resources are not currently available for a longer tunnel, we wish to help the Government find acceptable alternatives. We want to play a constructive role in helping to reduce the impact of traffic in the Stonehenge World Heritage Site.
We urge the Government to look at a wider range of options to find an acceptable solution for the Stonehenge World Heritage Site landscape. Of these, as well as longer tunnels, we believe it is worth exploring possibilities within a corridor further to the north than the Government’s northern route option.
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