8 February 2018
Campaign for Better Transport is urging people to tell the Government not to jeopardise one of the UK’s most precious historical sites as the public consultation into plans to build a new road through Stonehenge World Heritage Site opens today (Thursday 8 February).
Highways England want to build a short tunnel, a new dual carriageway and associated junctions between Amesbury and Berwick Down on the A303 in Wiltshire to speed traffic flow through the World Heritage Site. The plan has come under intense criticism since it was first proposed in 2013.
Highways England’s preferred route would cause irreparable damage to the World Heritage Site. Campaigners argue that alternatives, such as better rail and bus links; safer walking and cycling facilities; and getting more freight off the surrounding roads and onto rail, have not been properly explored.
A growing number of archaeologists, historians and other experts are joining calls for the damaging proposals to be dropped and for a fresh approach to the A303 at Stonehenge.
Chris Todd, Local Groups Campaigner, Campaign for Better Transport, said: "Stonehenge is one of our most precious sites anywhere in the UK and is internationally renowned. To be promoting such a damaging new road through this important site is nothing short of state sponsored vandalism of the highest order.
“We are urging people to take a stand and tell the Government that Stonehenge and the entire World Heritage Site should be protected for future generations and not sacrificed for the sake of a new road. It’s clear we need a new national transport policy that stops bulldozing our heritage and starts putting people first.”
People can take part in the consultation on
ENDS
For further information please contact Richard Watkins on 020 7566 6494 / 07984 773 468 or richard.watkins@bettertransport.org.uk
Notes to Editors
- The consultation documents will be available from Highway England’s website from Thursday 8th February http://roads.highways.gov.uk/projects/a303-stonehenge-amesbury-and-berwick-down/.
- Archeologists are continuing to find new areas of archeologocal importance and new artifacts within tthe World Heritage Site, which would be put at risk by the proposed road, see: https://inews.co.uk/news/environment/stonehenge-plan-destroy-unique-archive-british-history/
- Campaign for Better Transport is part of the Stonehenge Alliance alongside the Ancient Sacred Landscape Network, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, Friends of the Earth, and RESCUE: The British Archaeological Trust.
- Campaign for Better Transport is the UK's leading authority on sustainable transport. We champion transport solutions that improve people's lives and reduce environmental damage. Our campaigns push innovative, practical policies at local and national levels.