Stonehenge stuck in a rut

A new visitor centre and rail link for Stonehenge can't move forward until the government approves new road improvements, according to reports.

Plans to construct a tunnel underneath the Wiltshire countryside to relieve the heavy traffic flows have been put on ice.

The RAC is now calling on Tony Blair to intervene and push on with the much needed project rather than persisting with constant delays.

David Holmes, RAC foundation chairman, stated in a letter acquired by the BBC: "Because the cost estimate for the scheme rose to £510 million, the Department for Transport (DfT) insisted on re-examining some of the options which the public inquiry ruled out.

"This is a backwards step, as any of these alternatives would have to be the subject of further consultation and full public inquiries. None could start for a decade or more."

The English Heritage website has a comprehensive question and answer section for potential visitors to the Stonehenge site. However, under the query as to when the new visitor centre will be open there is a large blank space.

The world heritage site is one of the most popular attractions in Britain and forms part of a larger heritage area that includes Woodhenge and nature conservation sites.

Plans to build a new rail link and museum would vastly improve the visitor experience and provide much needed traffic flow relief for the area.