Representation by Barbara Slaska
- Date submitted
- 11 January 2019
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Please can I strongly object to the proposed Stonehenge A303 Stonehenge tunnel etc for the following reasons:
It will seriously damage Blick Mead (BM). The current excavations are smaller than the size of a tennis court yet they have already revealed so much rare and vital information. Particularly about the puzzle as to how humans got from being hunter-gatherers to the culture of people who built the wider Stonehenge landscape, with its causeway enclosures, mysterious cursuses, and the enigmatic Coneybury Anomaly etc. It is obvious that BM (which has been consistently damp for thousands of years) will dry out and this will significantly reduce the opportunities for carbon dating.
As well as the damage to BM, at the western portal there will be physical and aesthetic damage to the area around the Normanton Down Barrows cemetery group. I agree with [Redacted] and [Redacted](both on the A303 Scientific Committee) that these are unique in world terms and should be preserved by you not allowing the tunnel.
UNESCO say that if the tunnel goes ahead as it is, then the overall WHS will be irreparably damaged and they will take away WHS status. This would be very damaging to the reputation of the UK and set a dangerous precedent for other countries to damage their WHS sites.
The tunnel will mean that people won’t have the much-appreciated view of Stonehenge as they drive past. For example the ex National Trust Chairman [Redacted] said last year: "Most people who enjoy the stones do so from vehicles on the A303. The stones look magnificent from this distance. They have no need of close inspection. They can be appreciated at a glimpse, without need of visitor centres, car parks, coaches and multimillion-pound tunnels. Why should the overwhelming majority of those who enjoy Stonehenge be deprived of this pleasure at vast public expense to satisfy a profession and a quango?" (He means some archaeologists and English Heritage).
On the winter Solstice sunset, the historically important view from the Heel Stone through the centre of the stone circle, will still be spoilt by headlights of vehicles shining into it.
The rare Great Bustards and Stone Curlews, which are very susceptible to disturbance, will be displaced and probably won’t be able to relocate anywhere. They cannot speak for themselves, so I am pleading with you to speak for them.
Finally, the tunnel is not value for money. The cost-benefit ratio is extremely bad. There are alternative routes that cost much less and won’t irreparably damage the precious World Heritage Site. The main beneficiaries of the tunnel are English Heritage and National Trust as they will have a selfish financial monopoly of Stonehenge and yet won’t be paying any of the £1.6 billion. Most road projects (particularly with tunnels) go over their budget so this one is likely to be even worse value for money.
For all the above reasons, please don’t let this tunnel go ahead (as it is).