Dalton to Roose Greenway, Furness Abbey, Furness Abbey, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria: Archaeological Watching Brief

Capita Symonds commissioned Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) to undertake an archaeological watching brief within the grounds of the scheduled monument of Furness Abbey (SM 13572), near Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria (NGR centred SD 2203 7161). A greenway, or cycleway, is being constructed from Dalton to Roose, a section of which will pass through the Amphitheatre Field, positioned immediately to the south of the remains of the abbey. Due to the high archaeological potential and scheduled status of the site, English Heritage requested that any groundworks be carried out under permanent archaeological supervision, as a condition to the Scheduled Monument Consent. The groundworks within the scheduled area, which extends up to and includes the Abbey Precinct Wall, included the removal of topsoil along the route of a 2m wide cycleway to a depth of 150mm, and building up of the cycleway in areas close to the railway line in order to avoid impact on any archaeological features. In addition, ancillary works included the excavation of gatepost holes, and the breaking through of the Abbey Precinct Wall to allow access from the south up to Furness Abbey. The work was undertaken between the beginning of August and the end of October 2008.