Light at the End of the Tunnel?

The Application of Real-World and Digital Approaches on the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down (Stonehenge) Scheme

Abstract

The A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down (Stonehenge) road improvement scheme crosses one of the most famous prehistoric landscapes in the world. Known for its iconic stone circle and the densest concentration of burial mounds in Britain, the area around Stonehenge was designated a World Heritage Site (WHS) in 1986. The design and planning process required a detailed understanding of the likely sensory experience and perception of a multi-faceted engineering scheme within a complex archaeological landscape. To meet this challenge, the assessment team used a range of digital tools to assist their work: visually verifiable montages, virtuality reality with 360-degree visualisations explorable in augmented reality, animated drive-through models, auralisation experiences, and an interactive digital Environmental Statement. These digital approaches were key to analysing and managing large heritage datasets, and for engaging with key stakeholders and the public. Building a multidisciplinary expert team, including digital innovators, from the outset was essential, both to inform assessment and design, and to convey complex information in an accessible manner to multiple stakeholders and audiences.