Attempts to agree a proposal to remove the A303 surface road from the Stonehenge world heritage site have been made regularly since 1989 (A monstrous act of desecration is brewing, 26 April). Over these 28 years, the volume of road traffic has increased dramatically. Despite attempts to remove it, the A303 continues to cut through the world heritage site, making exploration of two-thirds of the site unsafe, causing pollution and damaging the ancient landscape. This is no way to carry on. We agree with Tom Holland that the site is historically as well as spiritually significant. So rather than fearing it being opened to all as Holland seems to, we embrace the chance to allow people to experience this extraordinary place, without roaring traffic and fumes. The tunnel will need to be well designed and sited with the utmost care for the surrounding archaeology, but we maintain our belief that, rather than an act of desecration, the current tunnel proposal presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to do justice to some of the nation’s most important ancient monuments and landscape.
Helen Ghosh Director-general, National Trust
Kate Mavor Chief executive, English Heritage
Duncan Wilson Chief executive, Historic England
• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com
• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters
