UNESCO Proposes Putting Stonehenge on 'In Danger' List

Improve the News Foundation -
0:00
/1861

Facts

  • The UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has recommended adding Stonehenge, the landmark Neolithic site in southwest England, to its list of World Heritage sites that are in danger because of plans to dig a road tunnel near the ancient monument.1
  • Last July, the UK government approved the £1.7B ($2.2B) construction of a road tunnel close to the standing stones of Stonehenge — built between 3K and 2.3K B.C. — to ease traffic congestion on the road to southwest England.2
  • In a draft decision, UNESCO's World Heritage Committee (WHC) recommended Stonehenge be added to the list of threatened monuments as the proposed tunnel 'remains a threat to the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property.'3
  • The decision to add Stonehenge to the endangered list, which would strip it of its heritage status, will be voted on by the WHC at a meeting in New Delhi between July 21-31.4
  • Transport Secretary Mark Harper has admitted that the planned 1.8-mile (2.9 km) road tunnel, aka the 'A303 corridor,' is considered a potential threat to Stonehenge. However, the government said its project will avoid disturbing the view through 'cantilevered sides' and a 'green bridge' on the western side of the site.5
  • This comes after the port city of Liverpool in northwest England lost its World Heritage status in 2021 because the WHC concluded that new real estate developments in the city threatened the heritage value of its waterfront.6

Sources: 1The Telegraph, 2Phys, 3Independent, 4BBC News (a), 5Forbes and 6BBC News (b).

Narratives

  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Guardian. UNESCO isn't against the plan to decongest a crucial main road, but it wants the UK government to stop committing a disgraceful act of vandalism and change the plan to include a longer tunnel — one which wouldn't compromise the integrity of the Stonehenge standing stones. The UK is obligated to protect Stonehenge, so it must seize the opportunity to reverse its ludicrously expensive plan.
  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Apollo Magazine. The tunnel would improve the landscape by eliminating the sight and sound of traffic passing the sacred site on the single-carriageway stretch, and also restore Stonehenge's ancient landscape by giving its stones the setting they deserve. It's disappointing that UNESCO is threatening to strip Stonehenge's status over a plan that will actually deliver a lasting, positive legacy for the monument.