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| Stone Formation Archive 1977 |
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 Stone Formations news, views, gallery and archive brought to you by Weird Wiltshire Introduction Latest News News Archive Stonehenge Stonehenge Project Stonehenge 360 Avebury Saviours Stones Village Solstice Wayland Smithy Long Barrow Woodhenge Gallery Summer Solstice Gallery 2002 Summer Solstice Gallery 2004 Postcards Wallpaper Links  |
First published on April 23, 1977 THE government has been slammed for its complete lack of imagination and enterprise over its handling of two of Wiltshire's ancient monuments, Stonehenge and Avebury. Chairman of Wiltshire County Council's planning sub-committee Coun Michael Burton yesterday urged the government to act with imagination and urgency to provide the proper facilities for the tourist attractions. Then he voiced his own scheme which, he said, would rake-in £10m to Stonehenge in 40 years, and solve parking, traffic and tourist problems at the monuments. Coun Burton suggested charging 50p for tours of Stonehenge. He said that with an estimated 700,000 tourists visiting the stone circle each year, the site would raise £350,000 per year. "In 40 years about £10m could have been raised, and then all the parking and traffic problems could be solved". He said the main road passing Stonehenge could be made into an underpass, and also suggested an underground carpark. He said the same could be applied to Avebury. The money recouped from the site could be spent on the much needed bypass around the village, and car parking facilities. "The government just isn't using its imagination. "Here we have two worldstature monuments and they are not being properly presented. "It is a world problem, not just a Wiltshire and English problem. The government should use a fare different approach." The sub-committee was considering proposals by the Department of the Environment on improving the Stonehenge site, and discussing a report on the present condition and future conservation of Avebury. Coun Arthur Miles agreed with the chairman. He said the presentation and overall management of the two monuments should have been looked into a long, long time ago. He said: "We are always much too late. "The situation should be dealt with some sense of urgency. If the county council has to urge the government and set the ball rolling then let it do so." Back to 1977 index |
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