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The Mail on Sunday are running the same story, unfortunately, their pictures are out of date showing the A344 as an OPEN and usable road......clearly they've not been reading either of the STAG blogs, or they would have known that it was closed by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!!