Carlisle Wastewater Treatment Works, Willow Holme Industrial Estate, Cumbria- Desk-based Assessment, Walkover Survey and Evaluation

Following a proposal by United Utilities for the laying of new sewers in the Willowholme Industrial Estate, Carlisle, Cumbria (NY 38970 56450), as part of the Carlisle Flood Alleviation Scheme, a programme of archaeological investigation, including a desk-based assessment, walkover survey and field evaluation, was requested by Cumbria County Council’s Historic Environment Service (CCCHES). The proposed works included the improvement of a number of existing sewers and the construction of a completely new sewer incorporating seven manholes. The new sewer was to run roughly north-west to south-east across the industrial estate, from the sewage works at the north-west corner of the estate (NY 38569409), to a junction with an existing sewer close to the Alexandra Sawmills (NY 39562101). A back-up option to run the sewer in a tunnel on a more direct line between these two points was also put forward. The work was to take place in an area of extremely high archaeological potential, immediately south of the line of Hadrian’s Wall and within the boundary of the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site. This report presents the results of the three phases of the project, the desk-based assessment, the walkover survey, and the evaluation, which were undertaken by Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) between November 2007 and February 2008.
An outline of the topographical and historical background of the assessment area was produced, covering all periods, in order to provide a context for the results of the archaeological study. Unsurprisingly, Hadrian’s Wall dominates the history and archaeology of the area, although remains relating to other periods are also known in the vicinity of the site. The desk-based assessment examined all relevant secondary and primary sources, including early maps of the area held in the Cumbria County Record Office (CRO) in Carlisle. Cumbria County Council’s Historic Environment Record (HER) was also consulted. The walkover survey was undertaken in order to record any surface features of potential archaeological interest, to identify areas of potential disturbance and highlight any hazards or constraints to undertaking further archaeological work on the site. The walkover survey highlighted that development in the form of the Willowholme Industrial Estate was fairly extensive and there were few areas of open ground, both for areas to undertake further archaeological work and to enable identification of archaeological features. Thus only three further sites were identified. A possible relict field boundary (Site 27), part of Willowholme Leat (Site 20) and a section of part of the railway line that once served the nearby timber yard (Site 29). The sites identified during the course of the work were listed in a gazetteer and plotted onto a map of the study area.