Coldwell and Trawden Raw Water Transfer Pipeline to Laneshaw WwTW, Lancashire- Evaluation

Following a proposal by United Utilities to construct a new transfer pipeline from Coldwell Reservoir (SD 94961 41232) near Trawden to Laneshaw Wastewater Treatment Works (SD 90016 36376), and between the Briercliffe Service Reservoir (SD 88576 35378) and Haggate (SD 85994 34921), the Specialist Advisor (Archaeology) at Lancashire County Archaeological Service (LCAS) recommended a programme of archaeological work be carried out prior to the development. The first central phase of this work comprised a desk-based assessment (OA North 20004a) and, as a direct result of the recommendations of the desk-based assessment, a second phase of work comprising an archaeological evaluation was undertaken.

All of the features discovered during the evaluation were post-medieval in date. These included evidence for peat cutting at Site 04, a post-medieval ditch at Site 112 and deposits possibly associated with creating an area of hard standing at Sites 112/150. However, most of the features identified during the evaluation related to field drainage. None of the features identified were considered of sufficient archaeological significant to warrant a programme of further archaeological work, apart for the general watching brief of the topsoil strip recommended in the desk-based assessment report (OA North 2004a).

Due to the existence of known peat deposits in the extreme north-east section of the proposed pipeline route, a programme of palaeoenvironmental coring was also carried out at Corn Close Bent Moor (SD 3937 4406 – SD 3949 4412). This was to determine the suitability of deposits for providing palaeoenvironmental information and to provide an account of the landscape history of the area in relation to human occupation.

The coring survey revealed up to 1.30m deep peat deposits at SD 39472 441198, roughly 50m north of the proposed development. Elsewhere, less than 0.50m deep peat was encountered, therefore no further palaeoenvironmental work is recommended. However, should the proposed pipeline route shift northwards then a programme of further sampling and palaeoenvironmental assessment should be implemented.