Archaeological dig at Enderby park and ride site

Work starts this week to investigate the archaeology of land earmarked for a new park and ride site in Enderby.

The park and ride service will start in Autumn 2009. Before work can commence on the £9million park and ride site, the County Council is taking steps to uncover, record and remove any archaeological remains.

The investigations will try to uncover evidence of how people were living 2000 years ago just before the Roman invasion, building on previous works in the Enderby area. These have uncovered houses and farmsteads of our Iron Age ancestors who were farming this part of the Soar valley. The investigations could be an exciting addition to our knowledge of the heritage of this area.

University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS) has been commissioned by the County Council to carry out the work. The archaeological dig is expected to take up to eight weeks.

Nicholas Rushton, County Council Deputy Leader with responsibilities for Highways and Transportation, said:  “It is important to record archaeological remains that may be uncovered as they are irreplaceable evidence of our past civilization. Any findings of this archaelogical dig will be displayed in the proposed park and ride terminal building.”

The joint  City and County Council park and ride scheme will offer low-emission buses running frequently into Leicester City Centre and will reduce the number of cars on the road. It is due to open in autumn 2009.

The site will provide a 1,000 space car park with an indoor waiting area, toilets and a security office.

The area to be investigated will be fenced off this week and work is due to start on Monday, 23rd June.