The Bypass.

Archaeologists have unearthed an ancient burial ground at the site of the Earl Shilton bypass road. Evidence of two Bronze Age tombs dating back some 4,000 years were found during work on the Earl Shilton bypass.

They were spotted after an archaeological survey of the site uncovered what would have been mounds of earth, or barrows, on the route between Thurlaston Lane and Mill Lane outside the town. Experts said the discovery was "significant" and may help to improve understanding of the county's early inhabitants.

However, the work on the find has added about £150,000 to the cost of the bypass, which was originally supposed to cost £15 million and due to finish by the end of this year. Richard Clark, senior planning archaeologist for the county council, said the discovery of the tombs had not delayed work on the bypass.

Evidence of as few as one great-crested newt has been found on land next to the road and the council say this could delay the project by three months - and add £1.7 million to the bill. Today, 29 Feb, they said that figure had been revised and was now closer to £1.2 million.

However, the finding of the tombs and other unexpected costs of £350,000, along with the delay from the newts, could still add up to an extra £1.7 million in costs. Earl Shilton councillor Denis Bown, who has previously criticised the high cost of protecting newts at the site, said the cost of the excavation could not be justified.

He said: "It's all out of perspective. These newts have been a laughing stock and now this will be as well. If the bypass hadn't been going ahead, these tombs wouldn't have been found in the first place. It wouldn't have been a great loss. It's a mystery how all these obstacles, expensive obstacles, keep cropping up. The money involved is incredible."

To read the about the latest developments go here.

21 March 2008

Council Faces Deficit.

Town councillors in Shilton face a big deficit if elections are held to fill two vacancies.

The authority has budgeted for £500 (the amount for a poll in the past) in the next finacial year. Cllr Denis Bown said the cost had now risen to £2,000 per election.

Caroline Abela-George (Townlands) has resigned because she is now working full-time and cannot attend meetings. There is also a vacancy in the Westfield Ward.