Plans to improve the setting of Stonehenge which include the removal of the current visitor facilities are back on track following a Government initiative to help English Heritage secure a funding mix to achieve the project.
In a move to cut red tape, Heritage Minister John Penrose has confirmed that English Heritage will be allowed to access £2m of historic reserves raised from philanthropic sources.
In a separate development, Roads Minister Mike Penning has agreed funding of around £3.5m for improvements to Highways Agency roads close to Stonehenge, subject to the completion of statutory processes.
He has also confirmed the go-ahead of the Stonehenge improvements. This will provide increased capacity on a key roundabout near the site of the new visitor centre.
Simon Thurley chief executive of English Heritage said: ‘These are crucial steps which bring closer the transformation of the currently blighted Stonehenge landscape. We now need to secure the last permissions and raise the final elements of funding. I am confident that we will be able to do both in time to start work next year.’
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