Archaeological Observation on behalf of Bristol Water concerning Priddy Zonal Phase 3 Old Bristol Road & Monarch's Way Somerset

Pipeline installation will entail a combination of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) via launch/receptor pits within the carriageway along Old Bristol Road with pipebursting undertaken on the Monarch's Way footpath. Open cut will be employed for the offroad sections, apart from a short section sliplining at the Drove Cottage termination. In areas of open cut, the proposed methodology will include a 5m-20m wide topsoil strip for the working area, depending on ground conditions and the position of boundary crossings followed by pipeline trench excavations The topsoil strip for the working area along the entire offroad length of the proposed Phase 3 route will be carried out under archaeologically controlled machine excavation utilising a flat-bladed bucket operating in a single direction wherever possible (as determined by engineering needs). This operation will be undertaken to a standard sufficient to identify any significant archaeological horizons or features present and enable their location to be recorded for subsequent investigation. Throughout the works, the supervising archaeologist will inspect all resultant surfaces and spoil heaps and should any archaeological finds, features or deposits be revealed during this initial stage of the AO, then further observation of the trial holes may be required, as determined by the SHEO. Any areas of identified archaeology will be cordoned-off from plant movement pending archaeological investigation. Reasonable time and resources will be allowed to undertake inspection and recording, provided the archaeology is safely accessible. A metal detector may be used as considered necessary. No unauthorised metal detecting will be permitted anywhere within the Site and all such activity will be carried out in accordance with BA's Metal Detecting Policy (2018b) incorporating Historic England and Portable Antiquities Scheme guidance. Where archaeological deposits or features are identified for further investigation, exposed surfaces will be cleaned by hand and planned using Total Station (TS) and/ or a survey-grade Global Positioning System (GPS), where appropriate, prior to investigation and recording. Within significant archaeological levels, excavation would proceed by hand to establish the date and character of any archaeological deposits or features and to undertake palaeoenvironmental sampling. The partial excavation or half-sectioning of features and deposits, sampling, the recovery of material for dating and in order to determine function, and the cleaning and recording of structures is considered preferable to full excavation. Full excavation and/ or removal of deposits will be agreed with the SHEO during a monitoring meeting, as will the treatment of any archaeological deposits considered worthy of preservation in situ so as to agree a strategy for preserving or recording them. Naturally occurring layers and features, such as peat, alluvium, geoarchaeological deposits and palaeochannels, will be investigated. This is particularly likely when the deposits contain well-preserved biological remains and/ or were laid down during periods of archaeological interest. Amy Bunce BSc MCIfA Director: UK Operations & Palaeoenvironmental Sciences will direct on-site sampling procedures and results, where applicable, will be discussed with the SHEO and the Historic England Science Advisor. Proposed sampling ratios are set out below and will be adhered to where possible, although engineering constraints are likely to preclude their rigorous application and a flexible approach will be adopted.