WC in the Fields please, Highways Agency

It's probably true to say, that we at STAG have more experience of the west bound queues on the A303 than anyone else following this blog.    Today, was just like any other public/school holiday when we were yet again, out at our usual pitch at West Amesbury and we have done this for about a year, handing out the flyers and cheering all the occupants of  "stuck" vehicles most of whom are happy to take our flyer and wish us luck for the future of our campaign!    In just over an hour of campaigning, the signatures start pouring into our petition to support us in getting the A303 fixed at the section around Stonehenge, and beyond to Winterbourne Stoke......where.....the first toilet is likely to be available to car passengers who'd planned their journey, taking a certain length of time and didn't stop at Solstice Park.  What they had not planned for, was the queue they must join from the top of Beacon Hill all the way to the single section of carriageway at Stonehenge Bottom - some 4.5miles and today, as per normal, this was taking an hour!!!   This problem arose, when the A344 along side Stonehenge, was closed prior to fixing the A303, and now the A303 cannot accomodate the extra quantity of vehicles - some 6000 per day that normally used the A344, now have no choice, but to use the A303!
The Peeps in their cars, are getting very fed up but usually in good spirit considering they've been stuck for an hour.   However, there are those in the foulest of moods which has the effect of them keeping their windows tightly closed, heads turned away and the driver stepping on the gas to avoid taking the flyer.....just to join the queue some 10 meters ahead....what is the  point?....they can see the break lights!
And to get back to ....... toilet problems - a subject some are reluctant to talk about ....hey! it's normal and it happens!.....before leaving home, one could hook up one of these little trailers with the pink seat.......but maybe not!
Anyway, STAG has a cunning plan, and it's that if we're in this for the long haul, the Highways agency 
could install a set of porta loos on the west bound carriageway  
off the "strawberry layby" where they store their grit.....
with a few more weeds and bushes allowed to get out of control, this would make things quite private in there.

We know it's already being used, because this little fella' was found there this weekend and is missing his mate.....We think Mum or Dad stopped for a "potty stop" and he's been left behind.   He's in good hands until claimed!

They could install one of those mobile signs just before Solstice Park advising of the opportunity to use this service area, saying......

NEXT SERVICE AREA - WINTERBOURNE STOKE - 7 MILES

OR ONE AND A HALF HOURS!!

Our petition can be signed at: www.sh2.co.uk Thanks for taking the time to read this and Highways Agency - take note please!

Press and Media are on to us!

When most people are turning over for another bit of shut eye, or a comfy sit up in bed to read at the Sunday papers, this morning our phone goes off at 0745.   "It's Richard from BBC Wiltshire here,

would you mind if we interviewed you at 0815 to go out live, we would like STAG's opinion about the recent announcement in various newspapers"   Good thing I was already up eh?!

It's all about the story in Saturday's Financial Times here: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4cd52aa0-55e1-11e4-93b3-00144feab7de.html#axzz3GbsVJdD0
The Mail on Sunday are running the same story, unfortunately, their pictures are out of date showing the A344 as an OPEN and usable road......clearly they've not been reading either of the STAG blogs, or they would have known that it was closed by
english-heritage.org.uk in June 2013 and the effect the closure has had on local communities.   The stories are basically saying that the Government of today have agreed in principal to fixing the A303 problems tho' further information will be announced by Chancellor George Osborne, in the Autumn Statement which will be about the 3rd of December.  And here's a link to Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg who also wants to push things forward and wants "diggers on the ground" before the next election!!!   I certainly hope that comment carries weight !!

Road tunnel under Stonehenge: Nick Clegg gives his ...

 So! it does appear we have the backing of most of the main government bodies who want something done to alleviate the A303 gridlock - all 110 miles of it.......However, whilst we say at STAG, we're "quietly confident" for the future, we must not forget that we've been here before, and New Labour threw the whole thing out in 2007 on the grounds of expense.....Election next May....so, this latest news has to be a "vote getter" for the present government and Nick Clegg's Lib Dem party too.     Our problems down here, do not of course, have any effect on people north of Wiltshire apart that is, if you've tried to get to the West Country.
Unfortunately, another problem has reared it's ugly head.....in the form of......
The Stonehenge Alliance!   Where have they been for the last year of lobbying I ask, and if they get your way for a 4.5km tunnel, the whole thing announced in recent news papers, could be, yet again, put on the back burner while investigations are carried out, that have been unearthed by them, from 2001!   
S A, lets get some compromise in here somewhere...you've lain dormant for the past 7 years!   And also, Stonehenge Alliance, the topography around Stonehenge has changed immeasurably while you've been asleep in your cosy large properties to the north of the county, where you're not even affected by the A303 problems!!!!   Here's that letter you sent to Patrick McLoughlin on 3rd October, turning all the work we've put in...on its head!












My learned friend who writes the other blog for STAG http://bypasswinterbournestoke.blogspot.com has a "cunning plan" yes! Baldric from Blackadder has put in an appearance.....

"How about suggesting the long tunnel lobby - Stonehenge Alliance - raise funds for anything over and above the 2.9 km that EH and the NT have determined is essential from a heritage point of view and which (hopefully) the present government feel is financially viable.  If they can find the extra 100 metres or 5 km, no one will object.  If they aren't prepared to do this, or even consider it, it rather limits the impact of any argument they might muster".   If Stonehenge Alliance want to lock horns....let the Rut begin!!

I digress......and to get back to my busy day of interviews: BBC Wiltshire also wanted a further interview "out at our usual pitch" at West Amesbury and Janey would turn up at around 1330 because they need to carry the story over to Ben's program tomorrow morning.  Just as we're preparing to leave home, Will from www.bbc.co.uk/pointswest (Bristol) phones to ask if he can use the time out on the A303 for interview

that will go out on this evening's news and hopefully on South Today on Monday.....and one hopes that our Transport correspondent at this end can see his way to airing the interview - conducted by Will - so no conflict of interest Paul!!!   Update: He didn't use it unfortunately, but our own - Cllr Ian West was up there on the telly, beating the drum most of the day!!



A303 Improvements Update

This letter has recently come in from Wiltshire Council's
Ms Fleur de Rhe-Philipe - Cabnet Member for Economic Development, Skills and Strategic Transport - now there's an expensive title and a mouthful to boot!!  
The letter appears to be a summery of a meeting that took place in Taunton on 28th August 2014 and is  the outcome of Stage 2 of the present feasibility study still taking place, the results of which will be announced in the Autumn Statement.  Even although the announcement will be made on the 3rd of December and won't actually feel like Autumn, because by then, we shall already be into our winter woollies, technically it is still Autumn, because winter doesn't actually start until Sunday December 21st!!

At a further, very positive meeting last Tuesday between STAG and The National Trust

it does appear that "everyone" wants something "done about the A303" and this includes a purpose prepared group from www.english-heritage.org.uk, www.wiltshire.police.uk Stakeholders all the way down the corridor, www.wiltshire.gov.uk - tho' they have blatantly failed to acknowledge our existance..... hey ho!   So long as they're getting on with things, while the STAG  team get on with the lobbying bit, I've no problem with that.   There is still much work to be completed on the archeology front and www.nationaltrust.org.uk have appointed a special lady for just this purpose!

So! for us, we're feeling a bit more positive about the whole situation and feel it's looking like things are progressing albeit slowly, be it digger, mole or tunnel !!!