© boardworks ltd 20061 of 17 local traffic – an environmental issue part 1 based on qca unit 20...

© Boardworks Ltd 20061 of 17

Local Traffic – an environmental issue

part 1

based on QCA Unit 20



The problem

What is the area like?

Some road building history

Con

tent

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Local Traffic – an environmental issue 1


Some people say that Stonehenge has been ruined by the roads running past it. Why do you think they say this?

The problem

I live in a place called Amesbury, in Wiltshire.

It’s near Stonehenge.

Stonehenge

A303

A334

Stonehenge is a unique ancient monument, built 5000 years ago by prehistoric people.

The monument and the land around became a World Heritage Site (WHS) in 1986.


The problem

Stonehenge site is “a

national disgrace”.

A government committee has said that the presentation of Stonehenge and the World Heritage site is a national disgrace.

Motorists are not happy with the roads either.

Trouble at

Stonehenge

The site is almost cut in two by a road, the A334, and traffic on the A303 can easily be seen and heard from the monument.

Their frustrations over the A303, centre on the fact that dual carriageways from east and west become single carriageways through the Stonehenge site, causing congestion.


The problem

The A303 is a major route between London and the South West and is used heavily by commuters and holiday makers.

Environmentalists are worried that major road works in the area will damage the habitats of rare species.

There are calls from motorist's groups for this congested road to be improved and upgraded to dual carriageway.

Stonehenge

road rage!

Archaeologists warn that smaller monuments within the World Heritage Site could be damaged or destroyed by road works.


Traffic on the A303 between Winterbourne Stoke and Amesbury is congested. What can we do?

The problem

Fast traffic arrives from dual carriageway here.

Fast traffic arrives from dual carriageway here.

Stonehenge

A303Winterbourne Stoke Amesbury

Traffic congested where road goes down to single carriageway – tailbacks along dual carriageways.


Con

tent

s


The problem


Some road building history

Local Traffic – An Environmental Issue 1



Hello. I just wanted to let you all know that the Highways Agency has unveiled proposals to improve the World Heritage Site at Stonehenge…

The site is ruined by the noise of traffic. You can see and hear the cars from the stones.

I commute between Warminster and Andover. I have to use the A303. The traffic is horrendous!

The number of accidents on that road is frightening! It needs improving.

It’s not ideal but any attempt to alter the landscape now will be too disruptive to the other monuments nearby.

There are rare birds nesting nearby. Any improvements could threaten them.


The aims of the Project are to restore the dignity and isolation of Britain’s greatest prehistoric monument, and enable people to enjoy and appreciate it fully by:


removing roads and traffic from the monumentreturning Stonehenge to a natural chalk grassland setting

creating better conditions for flowers, butterflies, birds and insects

providing improved access, enabling people to roam freely

building a new world-class visitor centre


This part of Salisbury plain is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Special Protection Area (SPA), home to rare birds

All areas of habitation at Amesbury, Larkhill, Durrington, Strangways and Bulford must be avoided.

There is an RSPB managed Nature Reserve to the south of the A303.


To the east of Stonehenge are Woodhenge and Durrington Walls.

The rivers Till and Avon are protected.Stonehenge

There are lots of other historic monuments throughout the whole WHS.

and plants.


The tunnel route is the government’s preferred option. It aims to avoid human and physical features. Do you think this is the best option?


air pollution

light pollution

change in landscape

noise pollution

traffic congestion

accidents Can you order the routes in terms of the most desirable to the least?

visual impact

environmental impactthe World Heritage Site

What do you think are the implications of the 3 options in terms of :



The area around Stonehenge is home to lots of wildlife. Some of it is quite rare.

Barn Owls live and hunt in the land to the north of Stonehenge.

Stone Curlews are a rare visitor to the fields to the north and south of Stonehenge, and there are only a few pairs.

Great crested newts live in the waters around Stonehenge.

They nest in fields. In order to protect them, farmers in the area have agreed not to disturb them during the breeding season.



Ten of the 16 species of bat native to Britain have been found around Stonehenge.

Pipistrelle bats, Brown long-eared bats and rare Barbastelle bats hunt in the trackways and around the hedges and trees near Stonehenge.

Daubenton’s bats hunt for small insects over the River Avon to the east of Stonehenge.

Barbastelle bat

Daubenton’s bat

Brown long-eared bat Pipistrelle bat


Local Traffic – An Environmental Issue 1

This unit is continued in the presentation entitled “Traffic – an Environmental

issue part 2”.

© boardworks ltd 20061 of 17 local traffic – an environmental issue part 1 based on qca unit 20...

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