Statement from Salisbury District Council following A303 decision - 6 December 2007

Following the decision made by the Department of Transport on 6 December 2007, Salisbury District Council gives its reaction to the government's decision on A303.

Salisbury District Council is very disappointed by today's news that the Government is not to fund the proposed A303 Stonehenge improvements.

Leader of the Council, Paul Sample said:

"We are disappointed that the Government has decided not to go ahead with the upgrading of the A303 at Stonehenge. There has been over twenty years ' discussion around this issue and on the table was a widely supported solution that addressed traffic problems as well as putting the stones in a more appropriate setting for the visiting public".

"In my view this is a real blow to the local Amesbury community and to future tourism provision at the stones. We'll continue to look at ways in which traffic congestion can be managed locally and liaise with the Highways Agency and County Council to that effect" he continued.

Deputy Leader, Steve Fear, shared this disappointment.

He said "I will be seeking an urgent meeting with ministers to identify a way forward. I am not prepared to ignore the ongoing traffic problem in the area and the impact it has on the community. Somehow we have to find a solution to protecting what is, after all, a world heritage site".

Things you can do:

Contact details:

Telephone:
01722 434354

email:
forwardplanning@salisbury.gov.uk...

Postal address:
Forward Planning & Transportation
Planning Office
61 Wyndham Road
Salisbury
SP1 3AH