Thacka Beck Flood Alleviation Scheme, Penrith, Cumbria: Archaeological Trial Trenching

A flood alleviation scheme is proposed in and around the town of Penrith, Cumbria, along the course of Thacka Beck. Thacka Beck is a partially man-made watercourse, and has supplied the town with its main water supply for many centuries. Planning permission has been granted for a storage pond facility associated with a flood alleviation scheme (FAS), but with a condition that a programme of archaeological work is undertaken prior to construction to assess the potential impact on any below ground archaeological remains. This condition was based on information obtained during previous archaeological investigations on the site in 2005 and 2008 when an archaeological watching brief was carried out by Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) during ground investigation (GI) works (OA North 2009); no features or structures of archaeological significance were observed, but deposits of well-preserved organic matter were recovered during the GI works in 2008, beneath a layer of river gravel, or lacustrine inwash. Unfortunately, it was not possible to date the organic matter but similar deposits are known from sites in Lancashire, namely Fenton Cottage and Stafford’s Dike dating to the early Bronze Age, and in association with the construction of Kate’s Pad, a prehistoric trackway. Consequently, Cumbria County Council Historic Environment Services (CCCHES) requested a scheme of archaeological evaluation trenching. In order to meet the planning condition, OA North undertook the work between 24th and 27th August 2009.