Area group says 'no' to Parker Plan (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Area group says 'no' to Parker Plan

Debate continues over roading proposals at Stonehenge. DA4875P9MEMBERS of Salisbury district council's northern area committee have voted against the ACT Stonehenge A303 Alignment Plan, labelling it "totally unacceptable" at a meeting last week.

They had been asked to comment on the so-called Parker Plan and pass their recommendations to the cabinet, which is due to discuss the issue at its next meeting on Wednesday, March 3.

All but one councillor, James Spencer, voted against the alternative route and members of the committee who are also members of the cabinet abstained from voting, so as not to compromise any final decisions.

Everyone else, including members of the public and parish council representatives, was against the scheme and voiced their concerns to committee chairman Mike Hewitt and Salisbury district council transportation officer Graham Wright.

Councillor Colin Mills, committee vice-chairman, said: "We know there are problems with the published scheme, but are we seriously saying that to build 25km of road across unspoilt countryside is a good alternative?

"This would be disastrous for much of south Wiltshire."

Councillor Judy Greville said: "In my view, the Woodford Valley is a beautiful place.

"It's the jewel in the crown round here and I just find it incredible that anyone is thinking of running a road through there."

Councillor Fred Westmoreland said: "No one would ever suggest that a road be passed through, under or over Stonehenge if it were a greenfield site - if the land around it were archaeologically untouched - but that is not the case.

"The land has been chewed up and the archaeology has been turned over - it's quite frightening.

"The point I'm trying to make is that the land around Stonehenge looks lovely and it's green, but it isn't underneath.

"As far as I'm concerned, the simple choice is maintaining an existing line through already damaged territory or doing unknowable damage through beautiful countryside.

"If we put 25km of new road through south Wiltshire, we will do the unforgiveable."

Several councillors were also concerned that closing the A303 at the Countess Road roundabout would only increase the volume of traffic passing through villages to the north of Amesbury.

Councillor Ian West said: "Where will the traffic from London go that wants to go west?

"Back up the road to Beacon Hill to join the A303 there? I don't think so.

"It'll go through Durrington, Larkhill and Shrewton."

The Parker Plan is one of six alternative routes submitted to the Highways Agency after the agency published its A303 road improvement scheme in June last year.

The Parker Plan advocates 25km of new dual carriageway between Berwick Down in the west and Beacon Hill in the east, bypassing Salisbury just north of Old Sarum.