20th June 2010, 05:29 PM
The Stonehenge bus runs from Salisbury to Stonehenge and is well used. However, if the Visitor Centre is built at Airman's Corner the A334 will be closed to all vehicle traffic except for a "land train" which will carry visitors who are unable/unwilling to walk to Stonehenge from Fargo Plantation. EH hope that most people will walk from Fargo to the stones but obviously has to provide transport for those who can't manage it. So the Stonehenge bus will only get as far as the Visitor Centre. The land train will I presume be manned by EH staff. With the 334 closed and that part of the A303 being a "no stopping" road there will be less opportunity for people to park close to the stones to have a look without paying. That said, there are plenty of places (relatively) nearby where you can park and walk to the stones now. I understand that the double fence will remain around the stones and only those with a ticket (purchased at the Visitor Centre) will be allowed through the first fence and access right up to the stones will still only be available for those who book a visit after hours. This plan will stop cars being more visible than the stones and also cut the number of accidents (including fatalities) where cars have hit visitors who don't use the official car park and pay for access via the underpass.