Simon Jenkins ranks the view of Stonehenge from the A303 as the most exhilarating in Britain (It’s unhenged: millions will be denied one of England’s greatest views, 23 February). Perhaps on some occasions it is, but the more humdrum reality is that drivers usually only glimpse the stones through a maddening and dangerous stream of stop-start traffic. He also takes issue with English Heritage’s visitor centre, now completely out of sight of the monument. Would he rather the return of the old car park and those concrete bunkers right next to the stones? Where once they squatted, and the old A344 clipped the monument, there is now chalk grassland.
Reuniting Stonehenge with the landscape to its north in 2013 showed what will be gained by placing the A303 within a deep tunnel. Yes, drivers will miss out on seeing the stones but more people will be able to explore – for free – the wider world heritage site on foot and on bike, taking all the time they need. We are the closest we have ever been to restoring this ancient landscape and giving Stonehenge and the surrounding prehistoric monuments the setting they deserve. And just imagine those views.
Dr Nick Merriman
Chief executive, English Heritage
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