https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geotechnical_engineering
So if we turn to the present project to fix the A303.... this is interesting from a civil engineering magazine - Highways England appear to be trying to keep a balance on the finance before the costs rise out of proportion as per a certain rail project!!!
https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/major-uk-contractors-snub-stonehenge-tunnel-as-jvs-revealed-17-12-2019/
As with all projects of this size, not to mention the controversial bit, there will be the "FOR'S" and the"AGAINST'S" both of which, we at STAG have covered on previous posts.
The "against's" would tell us that a longer tunnel is needed taking the whole project outside the World Heritage Site......presumably they've not done any costings to this effect and here's what we think it will mean.....probably another £1.5 billion on top of the present £1.8 billion, a further 10 years of deliberation and consultation, therefore...... starting the project in 2036 with completion in the area of 2042.....as many have said in our village of Shrewton: "not in my lifetime"!!!
The gaggle of "against's", or longer tunnel bunch don't stop to consider the further misery for local people - because they don't live where we live! And.... if we're talking about desecration of archaeology....think about this.....when the Amesbury by-pass i.e. the dual carriageway from (the non existent) Countess roundabout was built, the majority of artifacts and fossils were probably brought to the surface at that time - 1970 as borne out by this "old map". If one tracks east from the A344 - the main road as was, passes Stonehenge Cottages then dips down into Amesbury via West Amesbury and up the High Street. Therefore, the present dual carriageway leads from Stonehenge Cottages to what was known then as...just... Countess and the gap one can see on the map is now the dual carriageway in a cutting up to 70 foot deep by Vespavian's Camp, therefore unearthing any archaeology at that time.....I rest my case! So.... The For's - i.e. the project as is......will STOP THE RAT RUN taking away that misery for local people, which in turn will clean up air quality, make villages safer especially Shrewton where some roads are a mere 6 meters across with no pavements. Read previous posts telling you that 169,000 vehicles used that 6 meter wide entry to Shrewton during July this year! Fixing the A303 will make the area safer for the elderly, walkers, cyclists, horse riders and mothers with children, not to mention less litter thrown from passing vehicles. The project as is......will open up the route to the West Country helping the economy and open up the World Heritage site for all, including new flora and fauna....
what's not to like??
