Well, I didn't think I would be doing this so soon.....

Here we go again....a letter to yet another new Transport Secretary:

To: mark.harper.mp@parliament.uk 

Cc: GLEN, John MP

Dear Mr Harper,

Firstly, congratulations on your new appointment as Transport Secretary.  I should point out that I have written to both your predecessors on the subject of the A303 passing Stonehenge and my campaign has been in place since 2013 when the Rt. Hon John Glen came to my home to discuss what might be done to improve the lives of people living close to the A303 at Stonehenge.  Sadly, here we are 8 years later with very little achieved.

I’m sure we are all aware that “something” needs to be done to open up the A303 past Stonehenge which will in turn, have a positive affect on the economy of the West Country.  In doing so, will at the same time, address our problem of Rat Running here in the village of Shrewton, which has now become untenable.  The A303 at Stonehenge is now over capacity by 86% and much of that traffic, to avoid the queue, finds it’s way into our village.  Please will you take some time to read this link to my blog, which shows the proof of this Rat running taken from Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) around our village:

https://staga303.blogspot.com/2021/09/yes-i-know-figures-are-boring-boring.html 

I’m sure you will agree that 169,000 vehicles in one month, down a 6 – 8 metre road with a left hand bend and no pavement is just not acceptable….London Road to be precise.

I do understand that this project is controversial, and our opposition would rather nothing were done to improve the A303 at Stonehenge, having the view that it would adversely effect the OUV of the World Heritage Site (WHS). However, there does need to be a balance between the living and dead!

Presently Mr Harper, the OUV of the property is already jeopardized with the A303 splitting it in two, passing the monument from Longbarrow to Countess Roundabouts. 

I now have to ask you while you consider the DCO, what’s not to like about removing the A303 from the WHS altogether opening up this beautiful countryside to all, where animals can wonder freely, and the sight and sound of the road will be removed from our iconic monument.

In closing, I completely understand how busy you are, taking on such a huge governmental task but please consider the foregoing while you make your decision.

Best regards

Janice Hassett

STAG: Stonehenge Traffic Action Group