Eight alternatives getting a hearing (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Eight alternatives getting a hearing

THE Stonehenge Inquiry has turned its attention to eight alternatives to the £200m tunnel, as the war of words over the future of the World Heritage site rages on.

After consultation, nine amendments to the published 2.1km tunnel were put forward, although a suggestion from Amesbury Abbey Group to provide a different junction arrangement at Countess Roundabout has already been dropped.

The Amesbury Society began this latest phase of the 11-week inquiry by asking for the existing A303 to be made into a dual carriageway, alleviating traffic congestion while maintaining a view of the stones.

Roland Ware, representing the group, argued that hiding the monument from motorists was wrong and a tunnel would be expensive, unnecessary and potentially dangerous.

Society member George Randall also accused tunnel supporters English Heritage of "commercial exploitation".

"I, and most other residents of Amesbury, enjoy the sight of Stonehenge as we come to the top of the hill and descend towards the monument," he said.

"This joy will be denied us if the tunnel is realised.

"The tunnelling of the A303 is purely a commercial exploitation of Stonehenge by English Heritage, to ensure that tourists who want to see the stones will have to spend a day, and money, at the visitor centre.

"Most tourists are interested in an hour's visit and a brief history.

"Only very few are looking for lessons in archaeology.

"The so-called English Heritage master plan for Stonehenge is more of a disaster plan for residents of Amesbury.

"The irritating, well-worn and now cliche phrase used by English Heritage that the present visitor centre is a national disgrace is entirely the fault of English Heritage themselves. They have been taking entrance fees for many years and not reinvested sufficient money back to improve facilities.

"I do think the site and amenities should be enhanced, but not at the great cost in finance and local misery.

"There is a very simple solution: the A303 should be duelled down its present route."

Fellow member Graham Cowmeadow added that the views of motorists who would be "plunged into the tunnel" had not be fully considered.

He said that expanding the existing road into a dual carriageway would be cheaper and less destructive in a sensitive archaeological area.

"It does seem, in this time of excessive borrowing, that a more elaborate and costly scheme has less chance of being approved by the chancellor of the exchequer in his impoverished state," he said.

The group is also concerned about safety in the tunnel, warning it could be a hazard with 35,000 vehicles a day travelling through it at a likely speed of 60 mph.

"Helicopters can not land in tunnels," said Mr Cowmeadow. "This could delay victims getting to hospital."