Roman Circus

3.18.45pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 22nd Jul 2008

Hopes that the remains and setting of Colchester's internationally famous Roman Chariot Racing Circus will now get national recognition have been boosted as a result of Town MP Bob Russell raising the issue in the House of Commons.

And now Culture Minister Mrs Margaret Hodge MP has asked Mr Russell to provide her with more details about the Circus with a promise that she is prepared to accept his invitation to visit Colchester to see the site for herself and discuss the matter with the Borough Council.

A further boost came last night when Mr Russell met representatives of the National Heritage Memorial Fund at the Commons and discussed with them the national importance of the Roman Circus which was discovered on the edge of the Abbey Field less than four years ago but whose setting is now threatened by residential development of the former Garrison.

Speaking in the House of Commons during Culture Questions, Mr Russell said: "In November 2004, the most exciting archaeological discovery for decades occurred - the discovery of the only Roman Chariot Racing Stadium in Britain. The setting of the Roman Circus is now threatened with residential development.

"Will the relevant Minister come to Colchester with officials and representatives of English Heritage? This is a matter of national and international importance, and more than just a matter for a local authority to determine."

Responding, Mrs Hodge said: "I am always interested in issues of national importance. I suggest that Mr Russell writes to me with the details so that I can consider the matter property. If it requires me to visit his constituency, of course I shall be happy to do so."

Today Mr Russell said that he has written to Mrs Hodge with background information about the Roman Circus. "I am hopeful that she will visit, and that English Heritage and the National Heritage Memorial Fund, along with the Heritage Lottery Fund, will wish to be involved.

"The Roman Circus is of national and international importance. While it is wonderful that it is located in Britain's Oldest Recorded Town and the First Capital of Roman Britain, I do not think it fair that Colchester Council's Taxpayers should have to foot the entire bill for a national historic site anymore than the local council near Stonehenge has to fund that."

At present there is nothing at Abbey Field to indicate where the Roman Circus is. The archaeological remains had to be filled in shortly after they had been excavated in order to protect them from the elements.

The Town's Liberal Democrat MP said he was hopeful that, following the defeat of the former Conservative Council in last month's Borough Elections, the new Administration of Liberal Democrat, Labour and Independent Councillors will ensure that "Colchester pays proper regard to this internationally famous discovery".

Currently before the Borough Council is a planning application by developers Taylor Wimpey who want to carry out a residential development just yards from the site of the Circus. Mr Russell said that, with the interest being shown at national level at the importance of the Circus, then no decisions would be made which would be detrimental to the setting of what could become Colchester's most important tourist attraction.