Re: Stonehenge Tunnel Decision | Forum

Stonehenge and its Environs 134

Image by mjobling

Stonehenge Tunnel Decision

more_vert

thesweetcheat Nov 13, 2020 09:25:40

Replying to tjj

I found this a well-balanced read on the subject, avoiding a lot of the emotive and hyperbolic language used elsewhere. It sets out the conflicting views well without resorting to sensationalism.

https://wildhunt.org/2020/11/pagans-react-as-stonehenge-a303-tunnel-project-set-to-move-ahead.html

nigelswift Nov 13, 2020 09:59:49

Replying to thesweetcheat

There is much in the article I could take issue with but I'd like to point out that the picture and the quote "if you look to the right children, you won't see Stonehenge" is mine. It doesn't "imply" that will happen it IS fecking going to happen, and as we've said today:

"In the next century alone, hundreds of millions of people will be deprived of seeing the stones as the Romans, the Anglo-Saxons, the Elizabethans, John Aubrey, William Stukeley, Samuel Pepys, Darwin, Turner, Constable, and Obama saw them and as every archaeologist in English Heritage, Historic England and the National Trust has seen them. No traveller will ever again see a rainbow over the stones. This is not “helping future generations to appreciate the stones”, it is stealing the future’s heritage for a road scheme, and painting it as educational. The future will not be fooled, it will be contemptuous."

If an old codger like me can be utterly scandalised by what's happening I'd hope a lot of non-codgers will be too.

tjj Nov 13, 2020 11:30:26

Replying to thesweetcheat

thesweetcheat wrote:

I found this a well-balanced read on the subject, avoiding a lot of the emotive and hyperbolic language used elsewhere. It sets out the conflicting views well without resorting to sensationalism.

https://wildhunt.org/2020/11/pagans-react-as-stonehenge-a303-tunnel-project-set-to-move-ahead.html

Thank you tsc (and hello, feels like a long time). Yes, that is a good article, was very pleased to see Caroline Wise quoted as she is someone I have a great deal of respect for, albeit she doesn't come solely from the archaeological perspective on this. It would not be correct to say I am ambivalent though I can see both sides of the debate. My personal view is ... if in doubt, DON'T. There has to be a way in the near future of reducing all traffic on roads otherwise any thoughts of slowing done climate change will come to nothing. Anyone who has ever seen a new road or tunnel being constructed will know the heavy toll it takes on the surrounding land. However much tree planting or grass laying is done afterwards the Stonehenge landscape is one that cannot be put back.