Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Dis-quiet at the proposed draconian changes has led to the Inquiry.

Wiltshire Council has agreed to hold a Public Inquiry into the proposals for changes to the road system around Stonehenge, after objections from pagans and off-road users.

The aim of the proposals is supposedly to make the World Heritage Site tidier and better managed. As a side effect, everyone would have to use, and pay for, the official facilities. i.e. you wouldn't be able to park on one of the by-ways and have a picnic while looking at the complete site and setting from a distance, as you can now.

The A344, which runs through the edge of the henge (between the stones and the car park) will be closed off. Drivers wanting to get to the A303 will use a new roundabout at Airman's Corner and join the A303 at the re-designed Longbarrow Roundabout. So far so good, and no real reason to object.

However, a number of by-ways in the area which are currently classified as BOATs (By-way Open to All Traffic) and can legally be used by off-road motorists and trail bikers, are to be re-classified to prevent use by motorised traffic except farm vehicles and permit-holders.

The pagans have objected because they currently use the tracks when preparing for ceremonies at the solstices and equinoxes while the trail bikers have pointed out the absurdity of banning the occasional motor vehicle from the cross-country tracks (supposedly in the interest of the amenity of visitors to Stonehenge) whilst the A303 traffic passes within yards of the stones spewing out fumes and creating a steady 'drone' in the background (except during busy periods when it simply comes to a stand still and just spews out fumes without the noise!).