Representation by John Repsch
- Date submitted
- 10 January 2019
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
- With thousands of motor vehicles passing by Stonehenge every day, there would be the risk that:
(a) Levels of nitrogen dioxide would increase to such an extent that over decades they would produce toxins on the stones, and these toxins would themselves adversely react to weather conditions.
(b) Road surface run-off (metals, paints, rubber, oil, road-building materials) would leach into the surrounding vegetation or become airborne as dust. Either way, they could pose a risk to the stones by undermining the ground on which they stand or by adding to the toxins gathering on the stones themselves.
As motor traffic volumes increase - especially that of HGVs - the constant noise and rumbling vibrations might affect the strata on which Stonehenge was built. This damage could not then simply be corrected - it would be permanent.
If we don't protect this site, other World Heritage Sites may find their own protection undermined.
If UNESCO are saying that the scheme should not go ahead, why are the Government saying, No, we should take the risk?
The unsightliness of modern urbanization would spoil a natural historical setting.
Building a road so close to this ancient monument would give the impression that we don't care about its welfare.
There may yet be undiscovered archaeology located between Stonehenge and the proposed dual carriageway. Such archaeology might also become adversely affected.