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Dudley car park dig unearths hidden past

Dudley's hidden past is being unearthed as part of an archaeological dig ahead of the construction of a proposed £2.5 million car park.

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Experts have begun delving deep into the earth in Tower Street, in the shadow of the town's historic castle.

Two trenches have already been dug, with another three to follow.

The project has provided a glimpse into the past, revealing how the town's streets looked as far back as the12th century as well as evidence of buildings that once stood in the town.

Council bosses have seized the opportunity to explore the Dudley's past at the site before a new 225-space car park is laid on top of it. Councillor Khurshid Ahmed said: "It is fascinating looking at these trenches and looking into the town's hidden past.

"It is important that we carry out full investigations of the land before any works start on the hope site, however I hope any discoveries won't adversely affect our timeline for getting the work started on this much-needed car park."

The authority has secured £2.5m as part of its Dudley Town Centre development programme for the new car park as part of the ongoing regeneration of the town centre. Dr George Nash, from SLR Consultants, who is heading up the dig, said: "We have dug down about 2.5 metres and have exposed a period of history spanning around 800 years. The dig has uncovered some pieces of 12th century pottery. More importantly it has highlighted what we already knew about the wonderful hidden town layout under Dudley, which is one of the best in the country for medieval towns."

Designs for the car park will be submitted to Dudley Council in March depending on what the archaeologists unearth when they start work from February 9.

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