stonehenge environmental improvement project

Wednesday, 05 March 2014 1

PROJECT REVIEW:

STONEHENGE ENVIRONMENTAL

IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

Simon Clark - Project Manager

Stonehenge – Constructed 2500BC

2 Wednesday, 05 March 2014


MAP OF STONEHENGE AREA

Welcome sign

Existing facilities


Existing environment


History of recent Stonehenge schemes (1)

1979 - DoE Stonehenge working party report on future management of Stonehenge. DoT considers scheme to dual the A303.

April 1984 - EH established – first Chairmen Lord Montagu announces action “to find and implement a permanent solution”.

January 1985 - Stonehenge Study Group publishes report. Lord Montagu announces Larkhill as preferred site for new visitor centre and planning of scheme commences.

May 1991 - EH and NT apply for outline planning application for comprehensive scheme with Visitor Centre at Larkhill.

December 1991 - Planning permission refused by Salisbury District Council. EH and NT appeal against decision.



1992 - Sir Jocelyn Stevens appointed as new Chairman of English Heritage, and launches design competition for new Stonehenge Visitor Centre.

1993 - Presentation of Stonehenge described as “a national disgrace” by National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee.

July 1994 - Stonehenge Conference hosted by EH, who argue for long (c. 4km) bored tunnel for A303.

November 1996 - EH submits bid to Millennium Commission for £83m Stonehenge Millennium Park, including visitor complex at Countess East. Tussauds Group selected by EH and NT as preferred partner, following PFI competition.

June 1997 - Millennium Commission bid is turned down. House of Lords debates future of Stonehenge.



July 1998 - Upgrading of A303, with 2km cut-and-cover tunnel, announced as part of Government’s Roads Review.

September 1998 – Culture Secretary Chris Smith announces visitor centre at Countess East with park and ride link to Fargo North.

December 2000 - Countess East purchased by EH for £3m with funds from DCMS.

December 2002 - DoT announces 2.1km bored tunnel for the A303 past Stonehenge.

August 2004 - Submission of visitor centre planning application.

July 2005 - Salisbury District Council refuses planning permission. Inspector’s report recommends in favour of A303 scheme, but Transport Minister announces review of options due to increasing costs.



December 2006 - Public inquiry into scheme for visitor centre at Countess East.

March 2007 - Planning permission for visitor centre at Countess East granted by Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State for DCLG, subject to Government approval for published road scheme.

December 2007 - Government announces cancellation of A303 Improvements scheme. Visitor centre scheme abandoned, since planning permission was conditional on approval for the roads. Announcement that environmental improvements, including new visitor facilities, would be in place for 2012 Olympics.



Pre-Construction Project Milestones

January 2009 – Project Implementation Group recommends Airman’s Corner to Ministers

May 2009 – Airman’s Corner confirmed as location

January 2010 – Planning committee approves application

June 2010 - Planning permission, Government withdraws £10m grant, scheme put on hold

November 2010 – Alternative funding strategy proposed. HLF increase grant offer

February 2011 – DCMS approved Outline Business Case, DfT announce public inquiry into Stopping up Order; Traffic

Regulation Order inquiry to follow

February 2012 - Full Business Case approved

July 2012 - Start on site


Sectional Works Overview


Visitor centre site plan


Visitor centre floor plans

Project Challenges

Environmental sensitivities - Archaeology

- Below ground aquifer

- Protected trees

- Historical aviation crash site

Programme

Feature canopy

Remoteness – lack of water supply and drainage

Highly technical Mechanical and Electrical design

Aspirational design

Exhaustive Contractor design packages

Close Media attention


Green Field Site

15 September 2011

Access Road and Car Park

16 August 2012

Footprint Construction

17 4th September 2012

Raft Construction

18 September 2012

Pod steelwork installation

19 19th October 2012

South Pod SIPS

20 6th November 2012

North Pod Scaffold


Pod Roofing


North Pod Wrap

23 3rd January 2013

North Pod Floor

24 31st January 2013

North Pod Glazing

25 26th February 2013

CANOPY



Structural Steel Sequence

Canopy Support Base

28 31st January 2013

Canopy steelwork commences

29 February 2013

Canopy Truss Installation

30 March 2013

Canopy Trusses

31 3rd April 2013

Canopy Welding Stage

32 30th April 2013

Canopy Timber

33 30th April 2013

Canopy Plywood Decking

34 31st May 2013

Soffit Cladding

35 31st May 2013

Canopy roof coverings

36 6th June 2013

Canopy soffit completed

37 3rd September 2013

Completed Canopy


Managing Stakeholders

English Heritage – Chief Executive

- Project Manager

- Curatorial

- Archaeological

- Retail

- Catering

- Education

- Membership

- Ticketing

- Marketing

- Design Team

- Subcontractors

-Wiltshire Council

-Wiltshire Highways

- National Trust

- Neighboring landowners

- Local residents

- Road users

- Local Police

- Visiting public

- Spiritual groups

- Armed Forces

- Environment Agency

- Local and National Media


Stonehenge Bottom Closure


A344 Removal


A344 Filled


Path Edges


Night Work



Night works to access path

Managing expectations


Collaborative working to complete

Original Phase 2 completion date – 27th August 2013

Eventual Phase 2 completion date – 2nd December 2013

Original Visitor Centre opening date 18th December 2013

Eventual Visitor Centre opening date 18th December 2013

This was only achieved with all parties remaining committed to the goal.


Timelapse footage
