Archaeological dig in Bideford town centre
A MAJOR archaeological dig is to take place in Bideford as part of the regeneration of a key town centre site.
The first part of the dig will take place in Chopes department store car park as part of new plans to redevelop Bridge Street.
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OLD views of Bridge Street. Pictures courtesy Peter Christie
The work is set to begin this week followed by a second, larger dig at the neighbouring Torridge District Council car park next month.
The project has been organised by the North Devon Plus Joint Delivery Team, which has taken over the projects previously overseen by the Bideford Regeneration Initiative.
Peter Quincey of the JDT said Bridge Street had been identified as a priority area with the overarching aim being improving the visual appearance of the area and to see a return to its vibrancy and vitality.
He said: "Bridge Street used to have a number of attractive buildings including the glorious Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, which linked the Pannier Market with the retail area of the town.
"In addition the vistas from the Long Bridge up into Bridge Street were attractive and interesting, encouraging people to investigate further."
He added: "The redevelopment of Bridge Street will aim to recreate an exciting and stimulating environment that pays respect to its historic settings and helps to reconnect the Pannier Market back to the town centre.
"The size and density of the new development will relate to what was there before and look to enhance what has worked well previously."
A public consultation event is due to be held on Tuesday, February 23 from 1-9pm at the Town Hall.
The Chopes car park dig is due to begin today, Monday, February 1 and finish on Friday, February 5.
The Torridge District Council car park dig is set to take place on February 22 to 26.
Parking provision will not be reduced as a result of the new development.
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by On yer bikes!, Barnstaple
Wednesday, February 03 2010, 10:24PM
“I get sick and tired of hearing able bodied people moaning and droning endlessly about not being able to park in Barnstaple and Bideford. People are so lazy these days - they don't want to walk more than a couple of yards to buy a packet of fags. Why don't they campaign for better public transport in the area- especially more special provision for transporting the elderley and disabled ?
Walking is good for you while chugging out loads of muck from your cars just because you don't like the excercise is destroying the planet for our kids. It's all so selfish and greedy. Get fitter, get on your bike if you've got one,stop moaning and get campaigning to reduce the number of car parks. They're desolate miserable eyesores anyway.”
by andy, northam
Wednesday, February 03 2010, 9:13PM
“oh look! i found a bent spoon and a broken pot,,,whoopie doo,,,,”
by verity, barnstaple
Wednesday, February 03 2010, 12:33PM
“If you could just help us pedestrians up that hill and make it safer to walk down......”
by Banksy, North Devon
Tuesday, February 02 2010, 12:59PM
“Couldn't Bideford mayor Andy Powell do this? He seems to have spent quite a lot of time recently digging holes in the USA.”
by Desmond, Bideford
Tuesday, February 02 2010, 9:46AM
“They may unearth artefacts which will explain why Bideford always says it wants tourism, yet does everything within its power to deter them. On the other hand, we probably know the answer to that one already, but it could not be printed here.”