Cark Tank WwTW to Ravenstown Wwtw Transfer Pipeline, Flookburgh, Cumbria- Rapid Desk-based Reasearch and Walkover Survey

United Utilities has proposed the construction of a new pipeline from Cark Tank to Ravenstown, Flookburgh, Cumbria (SD 3570 7636 to 3615 7497; Fig 1). The Assistant County Archaeologist at Cumbria County Council Historic Environment Service (CCCHES) recommended that rapid desk-based research, walkover survey and permanent presence watching brief should be undertaken, as the scheme affects areas of archaeological potential dating from the prehistoric and historic periods.
The rapid desk-based research and walkover survey were undertaken by OA North in March 2007. The watching brief was to be be subject to a separate report, however, due to circumstances beyond the control of OA North, the topsoil stripping took place without an archaeological presence.
In total, 13 sites were identified through inspection of the Cumbria County Council Historic Environment Record (CCCHER) and other primary sources. The sites consisted of findspots (Sites 03, 04, 06, 10, 11 and 12), industrial sites (Sites 02 and 08), transport features (Sites 01 and 09), recreational sites (Sites 05 and 07), and a Roman road (Site 13). Of these, four were prehistoric in origin, two were probably Roman, two were certainly post-medieval and a further four were of unknown date. A further four sites were identified during the walkover survey, comprising a post-medieval field boundary (Site 15) and undated earthwork features (Sites 14, 16 and 17).
The character of the study area appears to have been predominantly agricultural during the historic period. The railway works of the mid-nineteenth century, and the creation of the new town at Ravenstown in the latter years of the First World War, represent the most significant developments within the study area.