Fordham Bypass: An Archaeological Desktop Survey

This study attempts to define the archaeological potential of land along the route of the proposed A142 Fordham bypass between Tl 612717 and Tl 633669. It also attempts to determine the potential impact of the development proposal upon the archaeological resource and suggest possible mitigation strategies.

The study was commissioned by W.S. Atkins Consultant Ltd on behalf of the Cambridgeshire County Council Department of Transport. The study draws together information from existing sources and the results of recent excavation along and near the proposed route.

The proposed route runs approximately 3Km in a north-south direction. The proposed route starts in the north at the Soham roundabout (at the junction of the present A142 and A123) and crosses Cockpen Rd and Station Road. It terminates near Biggen Stud where it rejoins the A142.

Although the line of the proposed route does not directly coincide with any of the known sites it lies within a zone of high archaeological potential. The area is right in sites from the Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman and Saxon periods.

There is a strong possibility of locating early Anglo Saxon burials in the northern part of the route since a known cemetery site is located 200m to the east of the proposed route way.

There is a strong possibility of encountering remains of Bronze Age or Iron Age date at the southern end of the route since this lies very close to known cropmarks which are likely to be Bronze Age in date and to excavations of Bronze Age and Iron Age date. Furthermore an Anglo Saxon cemetery at Biggen Stud at the south end of the route indicates there is a strong possibility of encountering further burials within the proposed new road corridor.