Blea Tarn Road Pipeline Replacement, Lancaster- Watching Brief

National Grid PLC are to replace a 1.1km stretch of existing gas pipeline between Blea Tarn Road, Scotsforth, Lancaster to the north (NGR SD 47778 59057) and Lancaster University to the south (NGR SD 48816 57880). An initial feasibility study regarding the environmental constraints was carried out on behalf of the National Grid Plc by RSK ENSR Environmental Ltd (2006), within which no known archaeological resource was identified. However, the area of impact lies in close proximity to a number of late Iron Age/Romano-British sites. Therefore, there was the potential to disturb unknown archaeological remains. In consultation with Lancashire County Archaeological Services (LCAS) RSK ENSR Environmental Ltd recommended an archaeological watching brief during groundworks for the pipeline. This included topsoil stripping of the pipeline easement and the excavation of the pipe trench. Oxford Archaeology North were commissioned by RSK ENSR Environmental Ltd, on behalf of the National Grid Plc, to undertake the work, which was carried out between March 2006 to May 2006.
The watching brief produced a variety of post-medieval domestic finds, of mainly nineteenth and twentieth century origin, that are likely to have derived from midden material. The base of a stone field boundary wall of possible early nineteenth century origin, underlying a current layered hedge. No deposits of archaeological significance were recorded within the development area, and there are, consequently, no recommendations for any further work.