AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL evaluation of land at Westminster Lodge earmarked for a new sports centre is being carried out. Wessex Archaeology, which was appointed to carry out the evaluation at the Westminster Lodge end of Verulamium Park, had to temporarily stop

AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL evaluation of land at Westminster Lodge earmarked for a new sports centre is being carried out.

Wessex Archaeology, which was appointed to carry out the evaluation at the Westminster Lodge end of Verulamium Park, had to temporarily stop work because of the bad weather and is now expected to complete the project by the end of this month.

The archaeologists are cutting trail trenches within the proposed site of the new Westminster Lodge sports centre in the car park and on land fronting the Abbey Theatre.

Most of the excavation is taking place on the grass areas around the car park in front of the Abbey Theatre. But trenches are also being dug on the grass area in front of the athletics track building and to the west of the existing leisure centre in the car park to the front of the Sea Cadets and Air Training Corps huts. Part of the car park is being cordoned off during that period.

Cllr Sheila Burton, portfolio holder for sport and healthy living, said: "Once the archaeological evaluation has been completed, Wessex Archaeology will submit a detailed report to the council by the end of January of any significant features found within the trenches.