Colchester car park to be dug up to look for Roman ruins
Britannia Car Park will be partially closed from next week
Last updated 9th Nov 2022
A Colchester car park is set to be dug up - so historian's can lean more about the history of the city's St Botolph's Priory.
Only part of the ancient building remains today, and archaeologists think there might be earlier Roman ruins on the site.
It means the Britannia Car Park will be partially closed from next week, to allow archaeologists to conduct a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey which will enable them to see beneath the ground to increase their knowledge of the Priory and its immediate surrounding area.
Cllr Pam Cox, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Heritage, said: “The work being undertaken is designed to better understand the ancient ruins of the Priory and how it relates to any earlier Roman remains on the site and what came after its closure in 1536 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. "Colchester is steeped in history and this opportunity enables us to discover more about Britain’s First City.”
Cllr Martin Goss, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Waste, added: “We apologise for any inconvenience these works.
"There are a number of other car parks in the centre of Colchester for residents and visitors to use and we’ve ensured that Britannia Car Park will be open from 4pm on Wednesday 16 November when Colchester’s Christmas light switch-on extravaganza will be taking place.”