Glasson UID, Cumbria. Archaeological Watching Brief and Evaluation.

In 2004, United Utilities submitted a planning application to upgrade current sewer works at Glasson, Cumbria (centred on NY 2556 6025). This development involves the insertion of a new chamber within the scheduled area of the Vallum associated with Hadrian’s Wall (SM 26122), and a new overflow pipe adjacent to the same scheduled area. Hadrian’s Wall is a site of international importance, and as such is
designated a World Heritage Site. The Hadrian’s Walls Archaeologist of English Heritage therefore recommended a programme of archaeological investigations prior to and during the development. This report sets out the results of the investigations, comprising an archaeological watching brief on three test pits along the pipeline
easement, four evaluation trenches along the pipe route outside of the scheduled area and a single trench within the scheduled area.
The watching brief on the test pits, excavated by the client for geotechnical purposes in July 2004, and the four archaeological evaluation trenches (excavated in September 2004) located outside the scheduled area were excavated down to the natural till. Although a number of field drains were located, no deposits of any archaeological significance were present. It was not recommended that any further
archaeological excavation be conducted outside the scheduled area, although an archaeological watching brief on the development should be maintained as stipulated in the project design for this work (Appendix 1).