Race to solve Stonehenge begins

3:47pm Tuesday 15th July 2008

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THE race to solve the problem of improving visitor facilities at Stonehenge in time for the 2012 Olympics got underway today.

English Heritage unveiled five possible sites for a new visitor centre which chairman Lord Bruce-Lockhart said he "fully believed" could be designed, approved and built in time for the Games.

They are Durrington Down Farm, Fargo Plantation, Airman's Corner, Rollestone Camp or developing facilities at the existing site opposite the stones.

The proposals for the new visitor centre are on a much smaller scale than the original £70m project at Amesbury east - which promised to be an iconic, mostly underground building - that was abandoned when the government pulled the plug on the road tunnel last December.

Lord Bruce-Lockhart said the new building would cost between £15m - £20m and be around a third of the size of the original scheme.

Culture Minister Margaret Hodge visited the proposed sites on Tuesday and told Stonehenge stakeholders there was a "determination to improve the experience for visitors" and "2012 was a catalyst."

Amesbury residents have been sent a document outlining the options and inviting them to have their say.

A public exhibition takes place in Antrobus House in Amesbury from 1pm - 6pm on Thursday, July 17 and Friday, July 18 and 10am -5pm on Saturday July 19.

It will move to Wyndham House in The Close, Salisbury from July 28 - October 17 where the plans can be viewed by appointment - call 01722 343830.