Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites
Factors affecting the property in 1994*
- Ground transport infrastructure
- Interpretative and visitation facilities
- Management systems/ management plan
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Need for information on the management
- Site Museum project
International Assistance: requests for the property until 1994
Total amount approved : 0 USD
Missions to the property until 1994**
Information presented to the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee in 1994
Stonehenge, Avebury and associated sites, United Kingdom (C 373)
ICOMOS and the World Heritage Centre of UNESCO have been monitoring the progress of the proposed developments in the Stonehenge area. The current position is that progress is held up awaiting a decision by the UK Department of Transport on the upgrading of the A303 trunk road which runs to the south of the monument. Two options are being studied: a long bored tunnel on the present alignment (the alternative advocated by English Heritage and the National Trust) and a new route to the north of the World Heritage site, proposed by the Department of Transport. A conference on the subject is being held on 8 July 1994, after which it is hoped that the necessary statutory procedures (including a Public Inquiry) will be completed without further delay so that the project may proceed to implementation.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 1994
18 BUR VI.B
Stonehenge, Avebury and associated sites (United Kingdom)
This site which was inscribed in 1986 is threatened by the path of the A303 motorway through the southern part of the site. At the request of the Observer of the United Kingdom, a communication prepared by the concerned authorities was brought to the attention of the Bureau. Two proposals for the organization of the site will be discussed on 8 July 1994 at a meeting organized by The English Heritage and the National Trust, in which the representatives of the Ministry of Transportation and international experts will participate. The first foresees the construction of a tunnel which would be dug under the site. The second foresees the creation of an access bridge for visitors at the eastern end of the site which would be linked to an observation station on the top of the hill dominating Stonehenge. The first option is by far the most costly.
The Bureau took note of this information and expressed the wish that a satisfactory project could be undertaken as soon as possible.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Exports
* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).
** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.
