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<< News >> Rotherwas Ribbon latest news

Submitted by coldrum on Saturday, 11 August 2007  Page Views: 12059

Site WatchCountry: England County: Herefordshire Type: Ancient Trackway

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Rotherwas Ribbon
Rotherwas Ribbon submitted by alun : A view of the stones laid out on top of a cut ditch. The presence of a early Bronze Age settlement and cremation makes it likely to be around 4000 years old. (Vote or comment on this photo)
Herefordshire Council is implementing its plans to preserve the Rotherwas Ribbon archaeological find and protect it for future generations.

A full council meeting confirmed that work on the Rotherwas Relief Road had been stopped around the site since the discovery in April of the Bronze Age ribbon of fire-cracked stones.

The council also determined that no irreversible action be taken that could prejudice its preservation for future generations.

Contractors have pumped standing water from land surrounding the site, which built up over the recent floods, and is preparing to apply the first few layers of protection.

The process is being monitored onsite by Worcestershire Historical Environmental and Archaeology Service.

The Rotherwas Ribbon was discovered in April this year in preparation for the Rotherwas Relief Road, which was being built to secure existing jobs and attract new ones to Hereford.

Findings of ‘a Bronze Age track way’ was promoted to councillors and residents of Herefordshire in the next available edition of council’s publication Herefordshire Matters in May and the find was launched to the press in July.

Plans to protect the Ribbon were put on hold after popular demand to see the site.

Around 1,000 people were given escorted tours of during July.

Although recent floods and bad weather caused erosion to surrounding areas, the passage of water across the Ribbon itself was safely channelled through existing land drains over the cracked stone pathway.

Temporary measures were not put in place during bad weather as this risked damaging the site.

Current preparatory work involves the diversion of two land drains, away from the site, which is being done without excavation or disturbance to the Ribbon.

Archaeologists are conducting a fingertip clean of the surface of the site to carefully remove any deposited silt.

Access onto the feature is allowed only on routes agreed with the onsite archaeologist.

When the site is stabilised, a number of protective, weatherproof layers will be put over the site, including a chemically resistant geo-textile layer, a layer of clean sharp sand, a further geo-grid and then capping material.

Herefordshire Council is awaiting a report from English Heritage on whether the Ribbon meets the criteria for scheduling as a nationally important site.

Councillor John Jarvis, cabinet member for the environment, said: “From the start the council has been open and transparent about the Rotherwas Ribbon find and has always been determined to save it in line with best professional archaeological advice and practice.

“The work to protect the site has to be undertaken with care, in the right conditions and will take around two weeks to complete. It is reversible but will protect the Ribbon for future generations”.

24dash.

Note: Greens defend Rotherwas Ribbon, inc No.10 petition, see comment. More on this site on our main site page here.

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"Rotherwas Ribbon latest news" | Login/Create an Account | 4 News and Comments
  
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Re: Greens defend Rotherwas Ribbon, inc No.10 petition by 4clydesdale7 on Monday, 03 June 2013
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31-5-13 and still no traffic on the Rotherwas Industrial Estate Relief Road - what a waste of money!!
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Greens defend Rotherwas Ribbon, inc No.10 petition by Anonymous on Friday, 12 October 2007
Whilst throwing out old papers today, I came across an edition of the Irish Independent, dated Wed 8th August, which my husband bought on a business trip. In it I found an article about a group campaigning to protect a ritual burial site in the Tara- Skryne valley from the route of the proposed M3 motorway.
They were seeking an injunction on the basis that works to dismantle the site were illegal and contrary to EU law. Apparently EU law maintains that the National Monuments Act, which allows the environment minister of the day to decide if a national monument should be preserved or destroyed is contrary to EU law. I do not know if this is of nay help so late in your campaign.
The reporter for the article was Paul Melia.
Good luck in any last ditch attempts to reroute the road from the Rothewas Ribbon -such an uniique find in Europe must surely be protected, and surely the EU would be interested.
[email protected]
[ Reply to This ]

Greens defend Rotherwas Ribbon, inc No.10 petition by Andy B on Saturday, 11 August 2007
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4000 year old monumen at risk from road development

GREENS DEFEND ROTHERWAS RIBBON

A recently discovered 4000 year old monument in rural Herefordshire is at risk of being covered by a new road development. Archaeologists have said the 197ft (60m) long ribbon of stones, found by road builders, could be as important as Stonehenge and is apparently unique in Europe.

It is made up of a series of deliberately fire-cracked stones and appears to have been deliberately sculptured to undulate through the whole of its length that has so far been uncovered.

Hereford Green Party has been leading the campaign to defend the Rotherwas Ribbon, also known as the Dinedor Serpent.

Local Green Cllr Gerald Dawe, said: "What we're going to have is a road which no-one wants, going over a part of our history which has a lot of public support.

Green Party Principal Speaker Dr. Derek Wall said:

"The Rotherwas Ribbon is of great historical importance. It is vital that discoveries like these are protected from more road building.

"English Heritage inspectors have said that the best thing is for the remains to be preserved in-situ. They are currently considering whether the site meets the criteria for 'scheduling' - this status is given to monuments whose preservation is given priority over other land uses.

"Though this wouldn't preclude the relief road being built, it would send a message to Hereford council of the importance of these ancient remains.

"A petition calling for a full public inquiry to decide the future of the Rotherwas Ribbon can be signed on the Downing St website. I urge people who care about out archeological heritage to add their names.
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/rotherwas/

"There are many organisations fighting effective and vital campaigns against road building around the UK - including Road Block and the Group Against Motorway Expansion."
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Greens defend Rotherwas Ribbon, inc No.10 petition by Anonymous on Friday, 30 May 2008
    Herefordshire council have a history of cultural myopia over several generations. they were determined to build the Rotherwas road and plan to pay for this by building a large number of houses in the area. Neolithic and Roman sites will be 'preserved' by building over them.
    [ Reply to This ]

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