To better understand the history of St Botolph’s Priory, Colchester Borough Council’s Britannia Car Park will have reduced capacity from Monday 14 to Friday 18 November, including one day of full closure on 15 November.
The car park is adjacent to St Botolph’s Priory, the first English Augustinian priory. Today, only the ruined remains of the nave survive.
The car park will be used by archaeologists to conduct a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey which will enable them to see beneath the ground to increase our knowledge of the Priory and its immediate surrounding area.
The car park will have up to 50% fewer spaces on 14, 17 and 18 November and will be completely closed from 6am on 15 November until 4pm on 16 November.
Visitors and workers in Colchester can still take advantage of the great value parking available at the Council’s other award-winning car parks nearby, including Priory Street, Napier Road North and Vineyard Street car parks.
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.”
Information on parking in Colchester can be found at colchester.gov.uk/parking
Page last reviewed: 7 November 2022