Valuing different road options for Stonehenge

Abstract

Stonehenge in the UK is one of the best-known and most important archaeological sites in the world. Unfortunately the site suffers considerable intrusion in the form of two busy roads which pass close by on either side of the stone circle, which provide an ‘excellent’ view of the site in its landscape. It is not a priori certain that closing one road and burying the other, as was proposed by those charged with managing the site, would actually improve social welfare.A contingent valuation survey was undertaken, in which willingness to pay for the construction of a two kilometre tunnel for the A303 road where it passes Stonehenge, along with the closure and dismantling of the A344 road, was contrasted with willingness to pay to retain the current road layout. The survey was reinforced by means of computer-enhanced photographs and maps. The results of the survey indicate that while most respondents would prefer to retain the current scenario, most are not willing to pay to do this. Those who prefer the. construction of the tunnel seem far more financially committed. The net heritage benefit arising from the construction of the tunnel turns out to be £114 million.