Site Investigation Works, Ulverston, Cumbria: Archaeological Watching Brief

The Environment Agency commissioned Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) to undertake an archaeological watching brief of the excavation of trial pits, or hand-dug test pits (HDTP1-5), across the historic town of Ulverston, Cumbria (NGR centred SJ 285 785), for the purposes of a geotechnical investigation. The groundworks had the potential to destroy or disturb deposits of archaeological significance. Therefore, in order to mitigate the impact of the geotechnical investigation on any such deposits, and to provide data that may help to inform future decisions, the Environment Agency Archaeological Advisor and the Cumbria County Council Historic Environment Service (CCCHES) requested a watching brief be conducted. One HDTP was excavated at each of the five locations alongside three becks in the town to investigate the beck walls and the existence of any foundations: Gill Banks Beck to the north-west of the town (HDTP1); Town Beck on the east side of the town (HDTP2); and Dragley Beck to the south-east of the town (HDTP3-5). At the same time, the groundworks also included the drilling of a number of boreholes, and windowless samples. However, these did not require archaeological monitoring during any intrusive work. The watching brief was carried out in March 2011.