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Stonehenge Tunnel campaigners say the fight isn't over | Stonehenge Tunnel campaigners say the fight isn't over |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Councillor Paul McKernan believes a tunnel is the only way forward | Councillor Paul McKernan believes a tunnel is the only way forward |
One year on from the scrapping of the Stonehenge tunnel, campaigners say the fight is not over. | One year on from the scrapping of the Stonehenge tunnel, campaigners say the fight is not over. |
The two-mile (3.2km) scheme along the A303 in Wiltshire had been agreed by the previous Conservative government but was scrapped by Labour after a spending review. | The two-mile (3.2km) scheme along the A303 in Wiltshire had been agreed by the previous Conservative government but was scrapped by Labour after a spending review. |
Some people living in nearby villages like Shrewton said they considered selling their homes due to rising traffic levels caused by motorists avoiding congestion on the A303. | Some people living in nearby villages like Shrewton said they considered selling their homes due to rising traffic levels caused by motorists avoiding congestion on the A303. |
A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said it recognised the importance of the A303 and added a new Road Safety Strategy is being developed. | A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said it recognised the importance of the A303 and added a new Road Safety Strategy is being developed. |
A year on from the decision, parish councillor Paul McKernan said he was disappointed the project had not gone ahead. | A year on from the decision, parish councillor Paul McKernan said he was disappointed the project had not gone ahead. |
"We were within weeks of delivering on a 40-year gestation period for the project. | "We were within weeks of delivering on a 40-year gestation period for the project. |
"To this day, people around here cannot believe it. How can they simply throw all that effort away." | "To this day, people around here cannot believe it. How can they simply throw all that effort away." |
He expressed concern for the summer period, believing up to 12,000 vehicles could use village roads every day to avoid A303 queues. | He expressed concern for the summer period, believing up to 12,000 vehicles could use village roads every day to avoid A303 queues. |
Planning for the tunnel first began in 1995 | Planning for the tunnel first began in 1995 |
A high volume of traffic on small village roads has sparked safety concerns for those who live and work there. | A high volume of traffic on small village roads has sparked safety concerns for those who live and work there. |
One property in Shrewton had its fence knocked down by a motorist passing through the village. | One property in Shrewton had its fence knocked down by a motorist passing through the village. |
The homeowner said it was caused by a driver coming around an S-bend too fast and mounting the pavement before "taking out the bus stop and the fence". | The homeowner said it was caused by a driver coming around an S-bend too fast and mounting the pavement before "taking out the bus stop and the fence". |
One homeowner's fence was damaged by a car | One homeowner's fence was damaged by a car |
"Somebody is going to get badly hurt here, somebody is going to get killed," said Colin Nufer, who runs the Plume of Feathers pub in High Street. | "Somebody is going to get badly hurt here, somebody is going to get killed," said Colin Nufer, who runs the Plume of Feathers pub in High Street. |
He added: "The feeling of the general populace who come in here is that the tunnel needs to come back, it needs to start again and the hope is there." | |
But the proposed tunnel was divisive, with those against it raising concerns it would damage the World Heritage Site. | But the proposed tunnel was divisive, with those against it raising concerns it would damage the World Heritage Site. |
Stonehenge Alliance has been campaigning against the tunnel for the past 30 years. | Stonehenge Alliance has been campaigning against the tunnel for the past 30 years. |
Kate Freeman from the group said the site should be untouchable. | Kate Freeman from the group said the site should be untouchable. |
Campaigner Kate Freeman said the site's heritage should be the top priority | Campaigner Kate Freeman said the site's heritage should be the top priority |
She said: "It's truly shocking that a great big gash could have been cut straight through the landscape." | She said: "It's truly shocking that a great big gash could have been cut straight through the landscape." |
She said it was "very disappointing" that the scheme was scrapped due to financial concerns, rather than fears about how it would affect the World Heritage Site. | She said it was "very disappointing" that the scheme was scrapped due to financial concerns, rather than fears about how it would affect the World Heritage Site. |
"We realise that we still have a mountain to climb," she added. | "We realise that we still have a mountain to climb," she added. |
As for alternatives, Mrs Freeman said: "Unesco has already proposed there should be another route further south that should be investigated. Also the villages need strong traffic management. We can't carry on this way." | As for alternatives, Mrs Freeman said: "Unesco has already proposed there should be another route further south that should be investigated. Also the villages need strong traffic management. We can't carry on this way." |
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