§ Lord Marlesfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they are taking to ensure that sufficient funds are available for the appropriate protection of the Stonehenge, Avebury and associated sites world heritage site, as required under Article 151, paragraph 2, of the treaty establishing the European Community. [HL3199].
§ Baroness BlackstoneArticle 151 of the EC treaty does not impose any requirements for action on individual member states. That article is concerned with defining the scope of Community action in the field of culture and cultural heritage.
As I explained to the noble Lord in my Written Answer of 5 March (WA 8), the Government take very seriously their responsibilities under the World Heritage Convention for the 24 world heritage sites situated in this country and its overseas territories. The Government have taken an active role in the establishment and implementation of management plans for the Stonehenge and Avebury parts of that world heritage site which identify and address the key issues affecting its current and future condition. Within the framework provided by the Stonehenge management plan, the Government are fully involved in the ongoing disucussions about the Stonehenge master plan proposals for a new road layout and visitor centre in the immediate environs of the world heritage site.
The improvement of the A303 at Stonehenge is included in the Government's targeted programme of trunk road schemes (TPI) and its primary objective is exceptional environmental improvement. The scheme, which includes a 2km tunnel, is currently estimated to cost in the region of £130 million and will be funded jointly by the Highways Agency and English Heritage.