Hodder Service Reservoir and Access Works, Slaidburn, Lancashire- Desk-based Assessment, Walkover Survey and Topographic Survey

United Utilities proposed the construction of a new service reservoir, access road and pipeline to the north of Slaidburn, Lancashire (centred on SD 7160 5410). As the scheme affects areas of archaeological potential, Lancashire County Council’s Archaeology Service (LCCAS) issued a short brief for a programme of archaeological investigation to be undertaken. As a result, Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) was commissioned to undertake a desk-based assessment and walkover survey of the area. Based on the results of these two phases a work, OA North was also commissioned to undertake topographic surveys of six sites.
A study area, approximately 500m in diameter and centring on the pipeline and aces track, was investigated for potential archaeological remains. Various sources were consulted including the Historic Environment Record (HER), the County Record Office (CRO) and published and unpublished materials held in the library of OA North. A walkover survey was conducted along a 200m-wide corridor centred on the pipeline easement in order to relate the landscape and environment to the results of the desk-based assessment.