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.