More remains discovered under city roundabout works

The number of skeletons discovered beneath a city roundabout during redevelopment has risen to 37, archaeologists have revealed.

The discoveries were made, alongside tombs and burial chambers, under the Queensgate roundabout, where seven skeletons were first found in late July.

The site is being developed as part of Peterborough's City Link walkway project.

Angus Ellis, Labour councillor and cabinet member for transport at Peterborough City Council, said the discovery could delay the project by "up to eight weeks", after an initial delay of four weeks was estimated while the remains were removed.

"This is due to the nature of the work that the archaeologists are undertaking, which is intricate and time-consuming," he added.

After the July discovery, a city council spokesperson said an archaeologist believed the remains dated from a cemetery which existed during the Medieval period.

However, on Thursday, the authority clarified that all of the skeletons discovered so far were Victorian.

"The depth we have dug to is deeper than what was excavated in the 1970s, '80s," a spokesperson said.

They added that due to the roundabout being in close proximity to the cathedral, "there was always the possibility... that these discoveries could have been earlier".

Ellis said contractor M Group was working alongside Oxford Archaeology after the remains were found.

"We are looking at options to reduce this possible delay in later phases of the project and will announce updates in due course," he added.

The City Link walkway is a project which aims to transform the area and create a connection between the railway station and the city centre.

It forms part of Peterborough's £65m Station Quarter redevelopment which began earlier this year.

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