Abbeytown Wastewater Treatment Work, Revised Pipeline Route, Cumbria: Archaeological Watching Brief

Following proposals by United Utilities for the revision of a pipeline route in Abbeytown, Wigton, Cumbria (NY 17620 50280 to 17840 51740), Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) were commissioned to prepare an archaeological assessment of the likely effects of the proposals on sites of archaeological interest. As a result of the potential for the disturbance of remains associated with the medieval Abbey of Holm Cultram, and additional medieval and post-medieval sites, OA North were subsequently commissioned by United Utilities to undertake a watching brief during preparatory ground works.
The only feature of archaeological interest that was encountered during the watching brief comprised a grassed linear bank. This bank appears to have predated the former Kirtlebridge, Annan, and Brayton Branch Railway, which was established in 1866-9, and might have extended into the scheduled area associated with St Mary’s Abbey, Holm Cultram (SM 302). The function and date of the bank are unknown.