Thacka Beck Flood Alleviation Scheme, Penrith, Cumbria: Archaeological Watching Brief

The Environment Agency proposes to undertake flood alleviation works to the north of Penrith, Cumbria, along the course of Thacka Beck, which runs between the Rivers Petteril and Eamont. In advance of these proposals, a programme of ground investigation (GI) work was undertaken in three areas: the location of a storage pond to the north-west of the town (NY 5078 3077); within the grounds of the Sandgate Mansion House to the east of the town (NY 5171 3024); and a garage site off Old London Road, to the south-east of the town (NY 5187 2990). Thacka Beck is a partially man-made watercourse, and has supplied the town with its main water supply for many centuries. Therefore, there is a high archaeological potential associated with the leat, together with possible early settlement activity in the town centre. Consequently, Halcrow Group Ltd (Halcrow) commissioned Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) to undertake an archaeological watching brief during the GI works on behalf of their client, the Environment Agency.