Tunnel proposal causes concern (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Tunnel proposal causes concern

AMESBURY town council has reaffirmed, in principle, its support of the A303 Stonehenge Improvement scheme.

At a meeting last week, all but three councillors voted to support the published scheme and oppose the six alternative routes that have been put forward by various objectors.

Councillors said it was in the interests of the economy of the town and of protecting the landscape of south Wiltshire from intrusive road building to support the scheme.

However, they were unanimously against the Highways Agency's proposal to build a 2.1km tunnel between Stonehenge Cottages and Long Barrow, designed to keep traffic hidden from visitors to the World Heritage Site.

Councillor Fred Westmoreland said: "I think English Heritage is forgetting the first rule of conservation - don't do anything you can't undo.

"If you shove a tunnel through there, it's there forever.

"I also have reservations about damage to the aquifer.

"At Stonehenge bottom, the water level is only 50ft below the surface and you just don't know what damage might be done.

"My own belief is that a tunnel would be criminal."

Councillors Ian Mitchell, Margaret Strange and Rosemary Williams were the only members to vote against the on-line scheme and in favour of the ACT Stonehenge A303 Realignment Plan (the Parker Plan).

Mr Mitchell said the scheme would cause direct detrimental effects to parts of Amesbury through increased traffic noise, light and pollution, whereas the Parker Plan offered amelioration of Amesbury's traffic problems, by providing an alternative route for through traffic away from the town.

He also said it would provide a foundation for a coherent traffic system to the north of Salisbury - but most councillors did not agree.

Jan Swindlehurst, deputy mayor, said: "Anyone who has had a look at the Bourne Valley Action Group's website or has spoken to any of those villagers can be left in no doubt at all what they think about Mr Parker and his plan.

"The scheme as it is now will not disrupt as many homes, families and people as it will if the Parker Plan goes ahead."

However, councillors did unanimously agree to press for the continued provision of a pedestrian underpass between the town, Countess Road North and the proposed Stonehenge visitor centre.

At the moment, the Highways Agency intends to replace the subway with a light-controlled crossing on the surface.

But town councillors said they saw it as vital to the interests of the town's economy, its environment and public safety.

Councillor John Noeken said: "I think this is something that is very much seen as vital for the benefit of those residents of Countess Road and residents south of the A303 who need to traverse what is a very, very busy and dangerous junction.

"We shall have the first light-controlled junction out of London and I think from a safety point of view I'm not entirely convinced that the Highways Agency has got it correct."

Councillor Roger Fisher added: "There is already a lot of traffic on that road and the entrance to the new visitor centre will only increase it.

"There is only one option and that's an underpass."

Mr Fisher will put forward the resolutions passed by Amesbury town council at the public inquiry, due to start at The Guildhall, Salisbury, at 10am on Tuesday, February 17.