RESCUE issues a statement on the loss of specialist professional advice in archaeology and building conservation.

RESCUE –The British Archaeological Trust has issued a powerful statement in response to the latest  report on Local Authority staff resources and in particular the ongoing loss of specialist professional advice in the fields of archaeology and building conservation.

“RESCUE believes that the country is close to reaching a point at which the provision of services designed to safeguard our historic environment is no longer adequate to meet the challenges that present themselves on a day-to-day basis. The report reviewed here is the fifth on such issues and the information that it contains is paralleled by the experience of other heritage organisations. The catalogue of losses continues to mount in spite of the publication of such reports and expressions of concern at the worsening situation. At what stage will we decide to act collectively to support under-resourced and vulnerable services and thus ensure that our historic sites and landscapes receive proper protection through the planning process?”

See their whole Statement here: http://rescue-archaeology.org.uk/2013/09/22/heritage-in-crisis-rescue-responds-to-the-fifth-report-on-local-government-heritage-staff-resources/