ARCHAEOLOGICAL research will mean a Colchester car park will operate at reduced capacity next week.

Britannia Car Park, which is the main car park for people using the Colchester Town train station, will have its capacity halved next Monday and then closed all day Tuesday.

From Wednesday to Friday inclusive, it will then reopen at 50 per cent capacity before reopening fully on Saturday, November 19.

The temporary reduction in space is due to an archaeological survey, where experts will try and delve into the ancient ruins of the Prior on the site using what is known as a ground penetrating radar, which allows archaeologists to see beneath the ground.

Read more:

• More Roman remains found near former site of Essex County Hospital

• Young archaeologists retrace the steps of Colchester's protestant martyrs

• Groundbreaking exhibition at Colchester Castle wins national award

Professor Pam Cox, the council’s portfolio holder for culture and heritage, said it was an “opportunity enables us to discover more about Britain’s first city.”

The portfolio holder for neighbourhood services and waste, Martin Goss, said other car parks will be available for the Christmas light switch-on next Wednesday.

He said: "We apologise for any inconvenience these works.

"There are other car parks in the centre of Colchester for residents and visitors to use and we’ve ensured that Britannia Car Park will be open from 4pm on Wednesday 16 November when Colchester’s Christmas light switch-on extravaganza will be taking place."