The UN’s cultural organization has recommended adding Stonehenge, the renowned prehistoric site in England, to its World Heritage in Danger list due to British government plans to construct a controversial road tunnel nearby. This potential designation would be viewed as an embarrassment for London. Stonehenge has held UNESCO World Heritage status since 1986, and being placed on the in-danger list is seen as a dishonor by some countries.
The World Heritage Committee’s decision, as outlined in a written document seen by AFP, suggests mobilizing international support to address the concerns regarding the site. This recommendation will be voted on by the member states of the World Heritage Committee at a meeting in New Delhi in July, where approval is expected.
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The British government approved the £1.7 billion ($2.2 billion) road tunnel project last July, aiming to ease congestion on a busy main road to southwest England, particularly during peak holiday periods. This decision came despite repeated warnings from the World Heritage Committee since 2017 about the potential damage to Stonehenge. Experts have warned that the tunnel could cause “permanent, irreversible harm” to the area. Additionally, Druids, who consider the site sacred and celebrate the summer and winter solstices there, have held protests against the tunnel.
Stonehenge, built in stages between around 3,000 and 2,300 BCE, is one of the world’s most important prehistoric megalithic monuments, notable for its size, sophisticated layout, and architectural precision. UNESCO grants World Heritage status to notable natural and man-made locations worldwide, a title that can boost tourism but also comes with the obligation to protect the site.
In a similar case, the port city of Liverpool lost its World Heritage status in 2021 after UNESCO experts concluded that new real estate developments had significantly impacted its historical fabric. This precedent underscores the potential consequences for Stonehenge if the road tunnel project proceeds without addressing the concerns raised by UNESCO.
