Plans to restore area around Stonehenge face public scrutiny<\/p>\n
I wonder where they’re going to put the ‘hippy compound’ and the festival space?<\/p>\n
I guess not, perhaps a drive in MacDonald’s might be more appropriate.<\/p>\n
http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk\/media\/video\/39868000\/rm\/_39868499_stonehenge06_hirsch_vi.ram<\/a><\/p>\n Inquiry into Stonehenge road plan: Plans to build a road tunnel under Stonehenge are to be examined at a public inquiry.<\/p>\n http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk\/1\/hi\/england\/wiltshire\/3493649.stm<\/a><\/p>\n Plans to build a road tunnel under Stonehenge are to be examined at a public inquiry.<\/p>\n The project’s aims have widespread support, but campaigning groups argue the proposed 2.1km (1.3 mile) tunnel is too short and will damage the site.<\/p>\n The government scheme will take the A303 under the World Heritage Site to reduce traffic congestion around the stones and improve visitor facilities.<\/p>\n The inquiry will begin in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on Tuesday.<\/p>\n The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) said the government’s plan did not go far enough.<\/p>\n The group said the road would have a “major impact” on the site, with tunnel portals degrading the landscape near the ancient stones and the road and associated earthworks affecting a large area.<\/p>\n CPRE’s head of transport policy Paul Hamblin said there was agreement the tunnel was needed.<\/p>\n But he added: “When building new roads we should do all that we can to ensure they are of the highest environmental standards.<\/p>\n “The government needs to dig deep to find what it takes to deliver a longer tunnel for this priceless world asset.”<\/p>\n The scheme is costing the government \u00a3193m. The National Trust is also calling on the government to accept its case for a longer tunnel.<\/p>\n Director Martyn Heighton said: “The public inquiry needs to consider whether the proposed tunnel is long enough to conserve and enhance the spirit of place, landscape and archaeological interest of Stonehenge.”<\/p>\n He said the Trust was concerned the tunnel exits would be places on archaeological and “visually sensitive ridgelines”.<\/p>\n A Bronze Age earthwork – which formed the ceremonial approach to the stones – would remain severed by the A303 and further areas would continue to be plagued by traffic, the Trust will argue. “We cannot sell Stonehenge short,” he added.<\/p>\n English Heritage – which is sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport – said it supported the Highways Agency’s proposals.<\/p>\n It said the road scheme would “rescue” the site from the “noise and clutter of the 21st century and give it the dignified setting it deserves”.<\/p>\n Work will start by 2005 if the scheme is approved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Plans to restore area around Stonehenge face public scrutiny I wonder where they’re going to put the ‘hippy compound’ and the festival space? I guess not, perhaps a drive in MacDonald’s might be more appropriate. http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk\/media\/video\/39868000\/rm\/_39868499_stonehenge06_hirsch_vi.ram Inquiry into Stonehenge road … Continue reading