2 replies to this topic

[Nigel]

May I comment upon this news item?
http://www.stonepage...?showtopic=1670

Stonehenge is NOT about to be stripped of its World Heritage Status, and if the question ever arose it would be better arising from UNESCO than from a British MP.

I doubt if Mr Key would dispute that his main focus is the transport issue, not the heritage one. This is illustrated by what he wrote on his website  http://www.robertkey.com/ last year, particular his "Soapbox" section -

"Robert Key has told the Prime Minister that not just the local economy, but the whole of the South West of England is being damaged by continuing indecision over the road improvements and visitors centre planned for Stonehenge."

True enough no doubt Mr Key, but the issue is not just about transport it is about heritage, and the fact should be explained to the public, not presented in an entirely inaccurate fashion. Thus, when you say -
"we are now closer to agreement than ever before between the majority of heritage interests (led by English Heritage) and local interests (led by Wiltshire County Council and Salisbury District Council), plus the DCMS and the proposer of the scheme, the Secretary of State for Transport”
... you are simply not stating the truth.

Most heritage bodies are totally opposed to the short tunnel that English Heritage are supporting.They include The National Trust, Friends of the Earth, RESCUE (The British Archaeological Trust), CBA - The Council for British Archaeology, The Campaign to Protect Rural England, The Pagan Federation, Transport 2000, Ancient Sacred Sites Network (ASLAN), ICOMOS-UK – The International Council for Monuments & Sites, UK, The Prehistoric Society, WANHS – The Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society, Save Stonehenge, World Heritage Alert and my organisation, Heritage Action.
What's more, UNESCO themselves are yet to support the scheme, it appears to transgress the World Heritage Convention in multiple ways and UNESCO's key appointed advisors, ICOMOS - UK, oppose it.

So, Mr Key, UNESCO are hardly likely to be going to take your advice to strip the site of World Heritage status just yet, are they?

I see your website is headed "Believing in Britain". Well I believe that sentiment should embrace more than a belief in roads but a belief in preserving Britain's heritage, particularly the most iconic parts. Had you been born in Ireland I suspect you'd be saying you believed in Ireland and fretting about the outrageous delay in driving a road through the Tara landscape.

Two countries, same problem, same spin on the part of elected representatives.

[kevin.b]

Nigel,
        How do?
Have you seen this pile of collapsing , well it could almost represent SH falling down?
2012?
http://news.bbc.co.u...012/6718243.stm
Kevin

[Nigel]

Oh!
Well, after a year of consumer testing and £400,000 spent on it, it must be really good mustn't it? Despite appearances.

But I see that (already) a spokesman says it "will evolve". I think that's code for "we know its garbage".

I bet you a tenner it won't be the same soon. I'm sure if you cut it up and re-arranged it you could get a swastika. If the public twigs that there'll be uproar.

What a shame, its not rocket science is it?