Roman well found in A46 works
A ROMAN well has been unearthed near Bingham during work to dual the A46.
A heritage group is now campaigning for the historic site to be dismantled stone by stone and re-erected in the town to prevent it being demolished by bulldozers.
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PIECE OF HISTORY: This Roman well was discovered during work to widen the A46.
Peter Allen, chairman of the Bingham Heritage Trails Association, said: "We've got a great deal of information about the Roman occupation in Bingham and absolutely nothing is visible, it's all under ploughed fields.
"People can know it and read about it but they can't see anything that's Roman in origin – there's nothing at all here.
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"If we could get this one little thing which was Roman and put it on display it will give people a sense of reality about the existence of the Romans in Bingham."
The Highways Agency has confirmed it is investigating the possibility of moving the well, which is near the Margidunum Island, a known Roman site north of the town, at the junction with the A6097.
A spokeswoman said: "We need approval from English Heritage and also Notts County Council before any discussions can take place."
If permission is granted, the Heritage Trails Association will discuss where the well could be placed with Bingham Town Council. Mr Allen said: "We want to reconstruct the well and put an information board in front of it which describes what Bingham was like in Roman times."
Cotswold Archaeology and Wessex Archaeology are undertaking major archaeological investigations alongside the dualling of the A46 between Newark and Widmerpool in Notts. Work includes digging test trenches. Coun Francis Purdue-Horan, of Bingham Town Council, said: "What it does, is give us an actual Roman artefact that simply brings to life the connection with the Romans in Bingham and further that knowledge and bringing history to life.
"Bingham Town Council will be delighted to play a part in preserving what was part of the way of life around Bingham many hundreds of years ago."
Notts County Council says the discovery will not delay work on the A46.
delia.monk@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk
Comments
by notts commuter, Nottingham
Wednesday, September 30 2009, 11:42AM
“does this well tell us anything of any importance what-so-ever?
Of course not.
I would love to be able to commute into Nottingham in a way other than by cay but unless I want to double my expense and triple my journey time I have no choice.
I'm sure in 2000 years time, who ever's here then will not worry about preserving the ancient A46 for any sentimental historical reasons.”
by Mr. Sensible, The Real World
Monday, September 21 2009, 12:45PM
“Dave, this isn't any old hole in the ground; it is said that this is possibly the only evidence of Romans in Bingham.
I know some motorist fanatics such as BJ Mann think they should be able to drive where they like, when they like, at whatever speed they like.
I don't like road widening projects at the best of times; there is an alternative called public transport, and that is really where this money being spent on roads should actually be going.
So, Dave, do you really want an important historic artifact like this to be sacrificed so motorists can continue ducking the big issue?”
by Dave, Nottingham
Monday, September 21 2009, 11:41AM
“Mr Sensible - you want the whole road improvement project scrapped because somebody has found a hole in the ground??”
by Mr. Sensible, The Real World
Monday, September 21 2009, 7:14AM
“This project should now definately be terminated without further ado.
This well can be preserved if Notts County Council cooperate (I am not expecting miricles), but even so some green space will be lost if this project is allowed to continue just to appease a few motorists and allow us to continue to duck the congestion and environmental issues.”