Meathop to Lindale Waste-water Transfer Pipeline, Lake District National Park- Watching Brief

Following a request by United Utilities Ltd, Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) undertook a desk-based assessment and walkover survey of a proposed waste-water transfer pipeline from Meathop to Lindale within the Lake District National Park (SD 441 805). The assessment recommended that a watching brief be conducted during the excavation of launch and retrieval pits needed to lay the pipe. The work was undertaken between 22nd June and 21st July 2004.
The study area is located between Meathop and Lindale villages in the Winster Valley, South Cumbria, lying within the Lake District National Park. The area was reclaimed from mosslands and sea marshes during the post-medieval period. The route of the pipeline traverses an area of agricultural land, predominantly pasture.
No significant archaeology was found during the watching brief and no recommendations for a further programme of archaeological fieldwork are made. The waterlogged nature of much of the peat subsoil meant that there was high potential for the preservation of waterlogged organic material which could be informative about the development of ecosystems and land use in the local area. Accordingly, a monolith sample was taken.