More human skeletons found amid major Cambridgeshire city centre roadworks

The roadworks may be delayed by up to four weeks following the discovery

More skeletons have been discovered at the site of major roadworks in a Cambridgeshire city centre. Roadworks are currently ongoing on the Queensgate roundabout in Peterborough as part of the City Link project.

The multi-million pound project aims to improve the city’s train station and connections across the city. While carrying out the works at the end of July, seven human skeletons were discovered.

With works paused and archaeologists called in, more skeletons have been found. A Peterborough City Council spokesperson said: “Following an initial discovery of one human skeleton, as standard practice, the police were initially called to establish if this was a crime scene.

“When they were satisfied it was not, a burial licence was applied for and obtained from the Ministry of Justice and then an archaeologist attended the site. A total of 11 skeletons have been discovered so far on land within the Queensgate roundabout. Since the discovery, the contractors have increased site security.”

The site of the roundabout used to be a Victorian cemetery and was closed to burials in 1858. Records show that the remains from the cemetery were cleared when the subways were built at the roundabout during the 1970s. Due to the discovery, the roadworks could be delayed up to four weeks.

The council spokesperson added: “The speed at which we were digging has had to slow down, so we don’t damage any remains. We are looking at options to reduce these delays in later phases of the project and will announce any timetable updates in due course.”