EDO317 - Coles Lane gas pipeline; fieldwalking 1978

During 1978 a 10-inch gas pipe line was laid, stretching from Sturminster Newton to a junction at St James Common to the west of Shaftesbury on the lower slopes, crossing a road (Coles Lane) known to have been a medieval track. The resultant swathe was fieldwalked (where conditions permitted, most of the route across the marshes was waterlogged at the time). The swathe was only to a depth of 25cm on average. The material located, was considered in the main to be late 19th century early 20th century pot sherds mostly Verwood, also debris of the Victorian period. A Hedge, Bank and Ditch was observed at grid ref ST 84002078 (parish boundary) overal measurement of the Bank and Ditch was 14.20 metres. A large quantity of scattered greensand was observed at Grid Ref ST 8448 2194 (Coles Lane) which may have been used for metalling. "