Stonehenge stalemate but wildlife reprieved

News from the RSPB site

Fears for rare wildlife thriving around Stonehenge have been eased by the government's promise today that it will not build an overground by-pass near the ancient monument.

The Department for Transport has categorically stated that 'significant environmental constraints' mean there are no acceptable alternatives to the tunnel, which was recommended by public inquiry in 2004.

Tony Richardson, South-West Regional Director for the RSPB, said: 'The tunnel was an opportunity to improve the wonderful landscape of Stonehenge, the experience for its visitors and the safety of passing motorists.

'It is a great shame that it is not going ahead but a huge relief that the government has rejected overground alternatives that would dissect the site. The tunnel was the most environmentally sensitive option. We hope that changes to planning law do not make an overground road easier to push through in future.'

We backed the tunnel proposal but strongly opposed overground bypasses put forward as alternatives more recently.

Those roads would have put at risk the rare stone-curlew for which Wiltshire's chalk grassland is one of only two main UK breeding sites for the bird.

Also in danger were more than 20 other bird species, butterflies and rare plants, all of which would have been harmed by road building disturbance.

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Was listening to the main news item yesterday, seems a national disgrace that the government are not prepared to spend the required amount on what is perhaps our biggest historical site and one which is known universally.

They can however pour money into the Olympics at a rate which appears to double every six months.

I have to agree with Rolf there. I visit Stone Henge often when going up to my son's we stop off on the way and on the way back. An over pass would be a bad thing.