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Forum: Stones Forum
Moderated by : Andy B , TimPrevett , coldrum , Klingon , MickM , TheCaptain , bat400 , davidmorgan , Runemage , SolarMegalith , sem
Respond to: Nearly £3m of taxpayers cash spent on archaeological dig
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h_fenton
Joined:
22-10-2005
Messages: 105
from OXFORDSHIRE, UK
 OFF-Line
|  New Message Posted!2011-10-24 09:27
I believe from reading certain forums:
The developer - The Welsh Development Agency knew that archaeological component of the project was going to be very expensive after the initial archaeological evaluations and trial trenching of the site brought up a high volume of quality archaeology. The project was started before the current economic mess, so the potential cost was deemed more acceptable. All the archaeology on the industrial park has been fully excavated, so any future construction work on the site does not need to worry about any archaeological delays/costs.
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Maybe the questions should be asked why the project went ahead in the first place? there is apparently plenty of spare capacity on Anglesey in terms of industrial units and offices, which is a large reason why the site has remained empty.
I suspect that at the time of the project's inception there was a big pot of money available for development projects of this type that encourage investment in areas such as the Isle of Anglesey. I would think that whoever was in charge of the project decided to take as much money as possible, as this money wouldn't otherwise be available locally - so it is a bit much to have people like local councillors and the mayor moaning about how much the archaeological part of the project is costing.
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Andy B
Joined:
13-02-2001
Messages: 7050
from Surrey, UK
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| New Message Posted!2011-10-24 08:28
Yes I don't like the tone of this story either, the work was part of what normally happens pre-development and funded by the developer
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frogcottage42
Joined:
14-02-2010
Messages: 235
from tuosist
OFF-Line
| New Message Posted!2011-10-24 00:39
I for one find it difficult to condemn spending £3m on saving valuable information and artefacts from the past.
It seems perfectly acceptable to spend many times that to evict a bunch of settled travellers from their own land because the local council failed to enforce their own planning laws in the first place.
The history of our public spending is littered with puerile and wasteful projects so complaining when one doesn't tick a current political box( or maybe does) seems petty.
Anglesea is much under investigated and whatever the motivation for digging there it must be welcomed.
PS I hope Stone Science gets some good bits to display ( if he is still going?)
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coldrum
Joined:
17-09-2002
Messages: 780
OFF-Line
| New Message Posted!2011-10-23 23:26
NEARLY £3m in public cash has been spent on an archaeological dig on Anglesey.
The Welsh Government spent the money at the Parc Cybi site in Holyhead after Bronze Age discoveries were made during the construction of a new industrial park.
To date the dig has cost taxpayers £2.93m but that bill will rise, as more work still needs to be done.
Critics say they are “flabbergasted” at the public cost and that the money would have been better spent on services at a time when police officers, nurses and civil servants are losing their jobs.
But the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust and Welsh Government said the finds were of “international significance”.
The site has now been covered by the industrial estate but the Trust said the items excavated would go on display on Anglesey in the future.
Parc Cybi, which was an £11m project to bring in investment, remains empty.
Cllr John Chorlton, chairman of Holyhead regeneration group, said: “I am flabbergasted by this figure. I can’t see how they can justify spending £3m on this in this financial climate.”
Holyhead mayor Jeff Evans added: “Was this worth nearly £3m? It’s all subjective and linked to individual opinion.
“Whilst I consider that £3m could be better utilised in funding and keeping hospitals open, and police on the streets, others consider history and archaeology of prime importance.
“The facts are there. The site was considered of major importance for growth and employment for Holyhead, and WAG considered the archaeological sites and discoveries of such importance, for history and for the future, that they authorised and paid for the work. It is for the public to determine whether the project met its financial input.”
Among the discoveries made was the foundations of an Early Neolithic (about 5,700 years ago) timber building plus two cemeteries – 4,000 and 1,300 years old. The Trust added the discovery of an Iron Age settlement of roundhouses caused the greatest work.
A spokesman said: “The discoveries by Gwynedd Archaeological Trust are already re-writing our understanding of how and where the ancient communities of Holy Island, lived, worked and buried their dead.”
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “The archaeological work at Parc Cybi was undertaken to satisfy a statutory obligation from Anglesey County Council on the then WDA. Any development would not have been possible without this work. The discoveries are considered to be of international significance.”
He added that they “have contributed significantly to the understanding of the prehistoric, Roman and Early Medieval periods in Anglesey and Wales.
"It is hoped that many of the artefacts discovered will go on display at Oriel Ynys Môn, Llangefni, and will attract additional visitors to the area".
MP Albert Owen said that he supported industrial development but that heritage had to be protected.
He said: “There are sensitive areas around Holyhead and these need to be explored, there is always a cost with that. We need to now show that this was money well spent by filling up the park and getting jobs to Holyhead.”
http://www.theonlinemail.co.uk/bangor-and-anglesey-news/local-bangor-and-anglesey-news/2011/09/14/nearly-3m-of-taxpayers-cash-spent-on-archaeological-dig-66580-29413173/
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