Avebury road closure?

Silbury Hill 180

Image by wysefool

ocifant Feb 12, 2015 13:39:45

Fresh from the 'you couldn't make it up' department, a wonderful plan to increase traffic past Silbury Hill on the already busy A4:

http://www.marlboroughnewsonline.co.uk/news/all-the-news/3918-plans-to-close-road-to-avebury-stones-included-in-consultation

"Plans to permanently close a popular tourist route and commuter run between Marlborough and Avebury are to be considered under new proposals.

The mile-long B4003 follows the famous West Kennet Avenue of standing stones from the A4 at West Kennett to Avebury village.

But the draft Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site management plan 2015 – which is out to consultation until the beginning of March – suggests that the road should be closed to all but local landowners and farmers."

Is it just me?

nigelswift Feb 12, 2015 14:32:56

Replying to ocifant

No it's not just you.

Being cynical it strikes me this just might be a bit of window dressing related to the proposed closure of the A303 at Stonehenge.

This:
"This would protect the archaeology, enhance the setting of the West Kennet Avenue and the Henge, restore their interrelationship and provide a good quality walking environment "
..... sounds awfully like the "restoring the integrity of the central area of Stonehenge" guff currently squirting out of every official orifice.

Anyway, it won't happen. It's something they can amuse themselves with for a while before having to quietly shelve it!

tjj Feb 12, 2015 19:42:42

Replying to ocifant

My opinion is that it is a good idea. The road is not really needed as it is just as easy to drive to the Beckhampton Roundabout to gain access to the A4, I don't see that it will make much difference to the volume of traffic. I believe the plan is to turn it into a footpath/cyclepath in order to link up the landscape between the Avenue and the Sanctuary. There are some standing stones that are outside the Avenue fence which many visitors don't actually get to see as they are each side of the road.

The speed at which traffic goes along the Sanctuary-Silbury section of the A4 is another matter.

The Eternal Feb 13, 2015 20:13:55

Replying to ocifant

Sorry to disagree, but I'm all for it. It would make for a lovely, peaceful approach to Avebury.

Similarly, I've never understood all the fuss about the closure of the road past Stonehenge. Less traffic means a better experience, even though my suspicions of an increased entry fee sadly tuned out to be true.

As for Silbury Hill, more traffic won't make much difference, as it's hardly peaceful as it is now. A bit more traffic won't make any difference to the overall 'experience'.

The motorist today expects to be able to drive anywhere they want regardless. It's about time this attitude is changed. An extra mile or two doesn't really impact too much on a journey time.

I know we all have different opinions, and that's why any decision will upset a lot of people.

All the best,
TE.