Aitkon Pipeline, Cumbria. Rapid Desk-based Research and Walkover Survey.

United Utilities (UU) proposed the construction of a c 3km long flow transfer structure pipeline, from south of Little Bampton to south-west of Aikton at the river Wampool
in Cumbria (NGR NY 2696 5488 to NGR NY 2646 5195). The Cumbria County Council Planning Archaeologist recommended that rapid archaeological desk-based research and a walkover survey of the proposed development be undertaken. Oxford
Archaeology North (OA North) was subsequently commissioned by UU to undertake this work.
In total, 17 sites of archaeological interest were identified within the study area during
the desk-based research, 15 of which (Sites 01-09 and 12-17) had been previously identified by Cumbria County Council Historic Environment Record, the remaining two sites were identified on historic maps (Sites 10 and 11). The identified sites included eight sites identified as areas of cropmarks on aerial photographs. The dates of these sites is not known, but they are potentially prehistoric (Sites 02, 04, 06-09 and 12-13). A circular cropmark to the immediate south of the proposed route was excavated in 1995, this was interpreted as a Roman tower, comprising a four-posted
structure and an associated rectangular building (Site 05). A medieval holy well is located in Aikton (Site 01) and a field named Kiln Green Croft (Site 03) was identified on the tithe map of 1843, indicating a possible kiln in this area. There was also a smithy (Site 10) listed within Aikton on the tithe and a gravel pit was noted on the 1901 Ordnance Survey mapping (Site 11). Four Grade II Listed Buildings (Sites 14- 17) are located within the study area, although none of these would be impacted by the
proposed pipeline.