40mph speed limit on A303 during solstice
ONE of the West’s main trunk roads will have a temporary 40mph speed limit imposed in case people try to gather near Stonehenge for the summer solstice later this month.
In a normal year about 10,000 people gather at the Wiltshire monument to mark the longest day of the year.
Due to coronavirus restrictions the usual ceremonies are not taking place this year, with English Heritage instead broadcasting a live stream of the sunrise and sunset.
Highways England has, however, applied for a temporary speed limit to be in place on the nearby A303 in case people breach lockdown restrictions and gather at the side of the busy trunk road.
The speed limit on that stretch of road is 60mph but the roads agency is seeking to restrict it to 40mph for the weekend of June 19-21.
The Western Daily Press reported last week that Highways England and Wiltshire Police were concerned about people parking dangerously on the verges of the A303 to look at Stonehenge.
A temporary traffic order allows police to fine motorists stopped on the A303.
Highways England is today advertising the temporary restriction, which it intends to be in place from 00.01 on Friday, June 19 to 23.59 on Sunday, June 21.
It relates to a 40mph temporary mandatory speed limit on the A303 trunk road near Amesbury from its junction with the A360 at Longbarrow Roundabout to its junction with A345 at Countess Roundabout.
These measures would be in the interests of road safety to ensure the safe, free flow of traffic during the Stonehenge Summer Solstice event.
The restrictions would not apply to emergency service or special forces vehicles.
Meanwhile, English Heritage said that though people can’t gather at Stonehenge this year they can still witness the solstice.
Cameras at the historic site will allow people to watch both the sunrise and the sunset.
English Heritage said: “We can’t welcome you in person this year because of the measures in place to combat coronavirus – but our live coverage of sunset and sunrise means you won’t miss a moment of this special occasion.
“Our cameras will capture the best views of Stonehenge, allowing you to connect with this spiritual place from the comfort of your own home.”
The charity, which manages more than 400 historic monuments, buildings and places, has warned people not to travel to Stonehenge for summer solstice, urging them to watch the live broadcast instead.
“We look forward to welcoming you in person at next year’s event,” it said.
More than 60,000 people have said they will watch the live stream on the Facebook event page with a further 320,000 ‘interested’.
English Heritage will be broadcasting the sunset on Saturday, June 20 and the sunrise on Sunday, June 21. Sunset is at 21.26 BST (20.26 GMT) and sunrise is at 04.52 BST (03.52 GMT).
The live stream will be on English Heritage’s Facebook page.
Our live coverage of sunset and sunrise means you won’t miss a moment of this special occasion
ENGLISH HERITAGE