SDO17311 - 33kV Pole Replacement near Bradford Abbas, Dorset. Archaeological Watching Brief

OASIS: Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) ('the client'), to undertake an archaeological watching brief during the removal and replacement of a single existing 33KV electricity pole (area 1.7 sq m). To facilitate the replacement of the pole structure the watching brief monitored the excavation of a single trench measuring 4.15 m long x 0.80 m wide immediately to the north of the pole structure. The trench revealed a 0.20 m thick layer of hedge build up followed by 1.20 m thick backfill. Underlying natural was pale brown-orange silty clay. No archaeological features were observed to be present or cutting the exposed natural geology and no artefactual evidence was identified or recovered. Following confirmation that the trench was archeologically sterile excavation through the natural silty clay continued to a depth of 2.10 m below ground level to facilitate the removal and replacement of the pole structure. Once the new pole structure had been installed the trench was backfilled with arisings and compacted down.