The National Trust has welcomed the intention to provide new facilities for visitors, with a car and coach park, outside the Stonehenge World Heritage Site and its sensitive landscapes.
It said: "The Trust looks forward to the opportunity to restore much of the tranquillity of the stones and surrounding monuments.
"However, the Trust's support for the Visitor Facilities and Access Scheme hinges substantially on the completion of a tunnel of acceptable length or an alternative which removes traffic while protecting the integrity of the World Heritage Site.
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"In the Trust's view the Published Scheme, with its 2.1km of tunnel and about 3.4km of surface dual carriageway within the World Heritage Site, fails to meet this vision. "
The National Trust first acquired land at Stonehenge in 1927, to restore an earlier condition of things by the removal of unsightly objects' rather than to protect the status quo.
It said: "We would have difficulty allowing the introduction of a transit scheme (part of Visitor Centre and Access Scheme) over our land without first ensuring the removal of the even more unsightly A303 and A344.
"The Trust cannot accept the introduction of a new road for a Land Train through land it protects permanently for the benefit of everyone while, a short distance away, traffic still roars along open stretches of dual carriageway. "
Posted by: Alan J Caulfield, Amesbury, Wiltshire on 1:03pm Fri 30 Mar 07
What should be remembered is that in the case of English Heritage this scheme has every to do with making money and nothing else. We need a dualled road to relieve the local area and allow everyone to view the stones as they drive past
What should be remembered is that in the case of English Heritage this scheme has every to do with making money and nothing else. We need a dualled road to relieve the local area and allow everyone to view the stones as they drive past
I find it rather strange that both EH an the NT are celebrating a scheme that both bodies know cannot go ahead without the £500milllion road investment that Steven Ladyman said wouldnt go ahead last year. Do neither of these bodies take any notice of statements by ministers?.Everyone told them that this dreadful scheme was doomed years ago. Considering that over 800000 visitors go to Stonehenge without any visitors centre, why bother with all this expence paid for by us. Resign and give back your knighthood Mr Cousins , all you have done for Stonehenge is spend millions and achieved nothing!!
I find it rather strange that both EH an the NT are celebrating a scheme that both bodies know cannot go ahead without the £500milllion road investment that Steven Ladyman said wouldnt go ahead last year. Do neither of these bodies take any notice of statements by ministers?.Everyone told them that this dreadful scheme was doomed years ago. Considering that over 800000 visitors go to Stonehenge without any visitors centre, why bother with all this expence paid for by us. Resign and give back your knighthood Mr Cousins , all you have done for Stonehenge is spend millions and achieved nothing!!
Posted by: Dr Tony Munday, Haxton near Amesbury on 9:00pm Wed 4 Apr 07
The prime mover of this mad scheme was,in fact, Sir Jocelyn Stevens who foisted his megalomaniacal ideas on some very gullible people. The architectural plans, for his first idea of a Visitors Centre at Countess East, bear the legend "Grand Opening 15 April 2000 by Lord Stevens of Stonehenge". How’s that for “counting chickens”! He remains a “Sir”.
If this statement is hard for anyone to credit, there is a photograph of this part of the plan on the BBC Wiltshire website.
Sir Neil Cossons did not have the courage to say "enough is enough" when he took the Chair of EH. He was warned, in no uncertain terms, that he would have "to carry the can" when it all falls apart, as it surely will.
AJM
The prime mover of this mad scheme was,in fact, Sir Jocelyn Stevens who foisted his megalomaniacal ideas on some very gullible people. The architectural plans, for his first idea of a Visitors Centre at Countess East, bear the legend "Grand Opening 15 April 2000 by Lord Stevens of Stonehenge". How’s that for “counting chickens”! He remains a “Sir”.
If this statement is hard for anyone to credit, there is a photograph of this part of the plan on the BBC Wiltshire website.
Sir Neil Cossons did not have the courage to say "enough is enough" when he took the Chair of EH. He was warned, in no uncertain terms, that he would have "to carry the can" when it all falls apart, as it surely will.
AJM
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