Solway Coast Wastewater Treatment Improvements, Cumbria. Archaeological Evaluation and Topographical Survey

Prior to proposed improvement works to wastewater treatment along the Solway Coast from Bowness-on-Solway (NY 2257 6281) to Drumburgh (NY 2672 5980), Cumbria, a number of meetings were held between United Utilities, who are proposing to undertake the work, representatives of Cumbria County Council Archaeology Service and the Hadrian’s Wall Archaeologist, at which a program of mitigation was agreed. Part of the mitigation comprised archaeological evaluation in eleven separate areas that would be impacted upon by the proposed scheme, and the topographic survey of Site 81, identified in a desk-based assessment of the proposed
works (OA North 2004).
Three of the areas required to be evaluated were examined during this phase of works, comprising Drumburgh pumping station (NY 2672 5980), Bowness-on-Solway pumping station/septic tank (NY 2278 6278) and the Westfield Marsh pumping station (NY 2467 6136), as well as the topographic survey of Site 81 (NY 2491 6122).
Three trenches were placed in each of the three evaluation areas, with the trenches remaining within the constraints of the ground disturbance associated with the proposed development. Trenches 1-3 were located at the site of the proposed Drumburgh pumping station, Trenches 4-6 at Westfield Marsh pumping station and Trenches 7-9 at the Bowness-on-Solway pumping station/septic tank.