Hardedge Water Supplies Proposed Pipeline, Cumbria. Walkover Survey and Watching Brief.

Following a proposal to carry out water quality improvement works to the Hardedge Water Supplies between Nenthead (NY 7998 4325) and Alston (NY 7246 4584), through the laying of new pipes, a programme of archaeological work was
recommended by the Cumbria County Council Archaeological Service (CCCAS).
This was initially to consist of a watching brief of the route of the whole pipeline, but after reconsideration of the project in light of the type of work and the scale of the archaeological remains, this was amended to a walkover survey followed by targeted watching briefs of those areas of interest that would be particularly adversely affected.
The area has complex history relating to the mining of lead and silver, evidence for which dates back to at least the Roman period. This expanded dramatically during the
eighteenth and nineteenth century, with mines covering most of the landscape, and led to the development of the village of Nenthead and a number of corresponding buildings. The importance of the area as a major source of lead and a historic industrial landscape is shown by the fact that there are three Scheduled Monuments within the vicinity of the proposed pipe route, two of which cover very large areas.