Stonehenge Byways - get ready to lose them

[ChrisW70]

For all those that have used the byways around Stonehenge and those that would like to be able to use them and everyone else in between, these are now under threat.

Unless we act they are set to be closed to recreational users as part of English Heritage's ongoing vision of what Stonehenge should be all about.

See the following link for the EH vision, you may wish to comment, use the 'Contact Us' tab;

http://stonehengevisitorcentre.org/#/need-for-improvement/outline

However formal objections to the proposals are also needed, details are below.

The proposals to close the byways are to "improve the amenity" - considering that agricultural vehicles will still be permitted to use them AND the A303 will remain open this seems like a poor excuse for enabling a money making scheme for EH and to rid us of our legitimate rights.

Thousands of vehicles passing in close proximity to Stonehenge every day along the A303 is 'tolerable' (and set to increase as the A344 will be closed off and traffic diverted along the A303) whereas a handful of recreational vehicles along nearby byways must be stopped!

As usual we are being treated as second class citizens once again. These are fantastic byways as anyone who has used them would testify, therefore it would be a great shame to lose them due to some "vision" particularly as the A303 is a much greater "threat" to the amenity and tranquillity of the area as it's a damn sight nearer! This one point alone, illustrates the bias and fuzzy thinking that typify TROs! Not to mention WCC stated they had no plans to close these byways when asked this summer, yet they are identified as a key supporting Stakeholder to these plans.

Another fall out of these proposals is that these routes provide a link to Salisbury Plain and surrounding byways for those further south.

You can write, email or complete an online form with your objection on the Wilts CC website - be warned though, the previous initial consultation in November last year managed to lose many objections that were lodged or they were lumped in with planning objections not objections to the TRO proposals!

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council/consultations/troconsultations/trostonehengeprohibitionondriving.htm

Objections need to be in before the 15th February 2010 - do it now!

This needs as much coverage as possible - please forward on to who you feel necessary.

[Saffy]

Wonder if the fact that people park freely along there and get a decent free view of the stones for photographs, and campers use it over night (hippies park further up the lane). We should object as the lane is a popular meeting point for greenlaning visitors  as it is easy to find before proceeding onto exploring Wiltshire lanes.

[ChrisW70]

From what I can see the byway that runs past the stones will fall under the land of the new visitor centre - visitors will have to walk across it to get to the stones. Although you could understand if they just wanted to close that one and the byway to it from Larkhill but the other two the other side of the A303 don't really make any sense considering the amount of traffic that uses the A303.

The new visitor centre would be at Airmans Corner - hell of a lot further away than where the existing one is.

[bravo669]

the byway over the other side of the 303 over normanton down was closed a while back and the person at druids lodge has kept the sign and puts it out as and when. i havent got round to checking if it is open yet, but the end on the 303 is open at the moment. (it was blocked with a lock on the gate to which the tro sign was attached)

[dxmedia]

LMAO make the henge look even smaller than it is then  :lol: :lol:  Think spinal tap had the right idea ;)  Wasn't impressed when I went myself, was looking out of the wrong window trying to see it.  France for the big standing stones !

[LiftedDisco]

Done....


Dear Sirs

I write in objection to the planned closure of the various Byways Open to All Traffic around Stonehenge as detailed in schedule 3 of the proposed order.

The byways form part of England’s unique heritage and have provided rights of way to be used and enjoyed by all for many generations.  Over time, the use of these rights of way will, inevitably, have changed from foot passage to horse and thereafter to carts and now motorised transport.  This is the way of evolution and each change brings new challenges and opportunities.

As such, the use of the current byways by vehicles is simply a means of accessing the countryside and it is inappropriate to discriminate against a particular user group in order to meet the sanitised needs of a commercial attraction.

To suggest that motorised access along these routes would affect the ‘amenity and tranquillity’ of the site is farcical as the south side of the stones is bounded by the A303 – hardly the quietest road in the County!

Likewise, these byways form an integral and historical route into the county of Wiltshire for those using the byways for recreational purposes – this use brings financial benefits to the pubs, campsites, restaurants, petrol stations and shops of the larger area.

I am aware that there are many organisations who promote best practice in use of the byways – the most appropriate approach would surely be to engage with such organisations and enthusiasts’ groups to ensure that the site is treated with respect… after all, we are merely guardians of this environment for our children and should treat it as a fragile entity.  As such, my children use the byways and have been brought up to respect the world around us.

The proposed closures allow for continued use by agricultural machinery, the size and weight of which is likely to cause continued damage – this would suggest that the proposed closures are a knee-jerk reaction against motorised users rather than a genuine desire to create a sanitised and ‘tranquil’ theme park around Stonehenge.

Finally, I would point out that, while training is always carried out off-road, the byways provide valuable experience of driving in varying conditions for the various members of 4x4 Response Teams around the country.  These teams have been called on extensively in recent months, being asked to deliver meals on wheels, take doctors and key staff to hospitals, get paramedics to injured patients and so on.  These drivers form a much needed part of our foul weather resilience plan and their capabilities may be reduced with the widescale closure of byways.

In conclusion, education and engagement will enable these byways to remain open to be enjoyed by all as a leisure activity and I hope that you are able to deliver a facility that offers inclusivity to all… even those who wish to drive along our ancient rights of way.

Yours Faithfully

[Smego]

Done....


Dear Sirs

I write in objection to the planned closure of the various Byways Open to All Traffic around Stonehenge as detailed in schedule 3 of the proposed order.

The byways form part of England’s unique heritage and have provided rights of way to be used and enjoyed by all for many generations.  Over time, the use of these rights of way will, inevitably, have changed from foot passage to horse and thereafter to carts and now motorised transport.  This is the way of evolution and each change brings new challenges and opportunities.

As such, the use of the current byways by vehicles is simply a means of accessing the countryside and it is inappropriate to discriminate against a particular user group in order to meet the sanitised needs of a commercial attraction.

To suggest that motorised access along these routes would affect the ‘amenity and tranquillity’ of the site is farcical as the south side of the stones is bounded by the A303 – hardly the quietest road in the County!

Likewise, these byways form an integral and historical route into the county of Wiltshire for those using the byways for recreational purposes – this use brings financial benefits to the pubs, campsites, restaurants, petrol stations and shops of the larger area.

I am aware that there are many organisations who promote best practice in use of the byways – the most appropriate approach would surely be to engage with such organisations and enthusiasts’ groups to ensure that the site is treated with respect… after all, we are merely guardians of this environment for our children and should treat it as a fragile entity.  As such, my children use the byways and have been brought up to respect the world around us.

The proposed closures allow for continued use by agricultural machinery, the size and weight of which is likely to cause continued damage – this would suggest that the proposed closures are a knee-jerk reaction against motorised users rather than a genuine desire to create a sanitised and ‘tranquil’ theme park around Stonehenge.

Finally, I would point out that, while training is always carried out off-road, the byways provide valuable experience of driving in varying conditions for the various members of 4x4 Response Teams around the country.  These teams have been called on extensively in recent months, being asked to deliver meals on wheels, take doctors and key staff to hospitals, get paramedics to injured patients and so on.  These drivers form a much needed part of our foul weather resilience plan and their capabilities may be reduced with the widescale closure of byways.

In conclusion, education and engagement will enable these byways to remain open to be enjoyed by all as a leisure activity and I hope that you are able to deliver a facility that offers inclusivity to all… even those who wish to drive along our ancient rights of way.

Yours Faithfully

Sounds OK but would be better sent to them, they just won't see it on here!

[LiftedDisco]

It was sent to them...

[LiftedDisco]

Anyone else get this...?

"Thank you for your recent email regarding the above proposal.
 
All correspondence of objection or support for this proposal will be considered in a future report.

If you do not wish your name to be included in the report relating to your representations (a) being made available for public inspection or (b) being published on the Wiltshire Council Website please inform me by responding to this email.

I will write to you again when I have more information regarding the proposal"

Hoping to do these lanes over the May Bank Holiday but I fear they may move quicker...  Can't say we didn't try!