Hayeswater Contract III, Pooley Bridge to Dacre to Penruddock Cumbria. Archaeological Evaluation, Excavation and Watching Brief Report.

The general area in the vicinity of the proposed United Utilities pipeline between Pooley Bridge (NY 4791 2505) and Penruddock (NY 4311 2754), via Dacre (NY 5485 2654) in Cumbria has numerous known sites of archaeological interest. The desk-based assessment and walkover survey undertaken by OA North (OA North 2004a) identified 46 sites of archaeological interest. Of these, 15 were considered
likely to be affected by the proposed development. Because of this the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) Archaeologist recommended a programme of
archaeological work comprising archaeological evaluation, and watching brief to be undertaken prior to the groundworks for the pipeline.
The programme of evaluation required the trial trenching of a minimum of 5% of the off-road sections of the pipeline easement to determine the presence or absence of any
previously undiscovered archaeological deposits. In this way it would adequately sample the threatened available area. The evaluation was to comprise 20 linear trenches measuring 25m x 1.6m, dependent upon the topographical conditions and the results of the desk-based assessment and walkover survey. In the event, only 16 trenches could be excavated; three were cancelled by United Utilities (one due to a
likely re-route, and two due the presence of newts), and one further trench was cancelled due to denial of access by the landowner. The trenches were excavated during March 2005.