A NOTORIOUS byway near to Stonehenge, which has caused problems for traffic on the A303, should be downgraded to a bridleway according to Amesbury Town Council.

Byway 12, an ancient right of way near the stones, runs from from the A303 to Larkhill. The call for action echoes a coroner in April who also called for changes after a taxi driver was killed after parking at the opposite Byway 11.

The problems have escalated since the closure of the A344, with tourists looking to avoid paying the entrance fee at the Stonehenge visitor centre. Councillors highlighted that many motorists flout the no-right hand turn signs which are currently in place.

Cllr Roger Fisher said that when plans for a new visitor centre were being drawn up the planning inspector rejected a proposals to close the byway. On a recent visit to the site he found many cars were parking overnight.

Cllr John Noeken said: “You have got to balance this against the number of interested groups. Members need to be clear that there will be people coming forward to oppose this quite forcibly.

“But I think the road safety element outweighs those considerations because only tonight coming back on the A303 somebody who was unfamiliar to the area very suddenly went off onto the byway. This is happening on a daily basis, and lots of people are just ignoring the [no right hand turn] signs.”

Cllr Fred Westmoreland described it as “crazy” watching cars use the junction and said seeing caravans parked up on the byway was detrimental to the world heritage site.

Amesbury Town Council will now write to Wiltshire Council asking them to downgrade the byway.