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A FURORE broke out this week as government ministers unveiled the latest plans for protecting Stonehenge from the onslaught of traffic.

Possible options for improving the A303 holiday route past the 4,500-year-old monument were outlined on Monday by transport minister Stephen Ladyman and culture minister David Lammy.

But their suggestions were immediately blasted by archaeologists, environmentalists, transport groups and countryside campaigners as a rehash of old ideas.

The latest proposals have emerged as part of a review ordered last July, when the idea to carry A303 traffic through a bored tunnel past the world famous monument was shelved because of spiralling costs.

The scheme had rocketed from £200m to £470m by last year and is now estimated at £510m.

As alternative options to the bored tunnel, which is still on the table, ministers say they are now looking at plans for: bypasses of the Stonehenge site, either to the north or south; a cut-and-cover tunnel past Stonehenge an idea that was rejected in the 1990s; changes to the Countess roundabout at Amesbury, closure of the A344/A303 junction and construction of the Winterbourne Stoke bypass.

The review will now continue with a 13-week public consultation, which will include exhibitions in Salisbury and London.

Dr Ladyman said: "The government is committed to improving the A303 past the world heritage site at Stonehenge.

"I hope that everyone with an interest in this important issue will take this opportunity to contribute to the review process.

"I am keen to take account of as many views as possible before deciding on an option that will be in keeping with the special requirements of the location, as well as being affordable, realistic and deliverable."

Mr Lammy said: "This review is an important stage in our work. We need to find a solution for the A303 past Stonehenge that is right for the setting of the stones and right for the historic landscape which surrounds them.

"Our aim is to realise the goals we have set out in the Stonehenge world heritage site management plan. This is an opportunity for us all to work together to find an answer that we can unite around and deliver."

The public consultation will run from this week to April 24, with the Salisbury exhibition taking place at the city's White Hart Hotel from February 9 to 11 and the London event will be held on February 17 and 18.

Representatives of the Highways Agency and its consultants will be available to explain the options and answer questions.

9:42am Tuesday 24th January 2006

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