Development delays avoided for Network Rail in Cambridgeshire

Client: Network Rail

Location: March, Cambridgeshire, UK

Project description: Archaeological investigation in order to discharge a planning condition

Carrying out the archaeological work in tandem with other ongoing surveys and enabling works precluded the potential for delays further down the line to the client’s construction programme

Wardell Armstrong Archaeology was commissioned Network Rail to undertake a programme of archaeological investigation including trial trenching and excavation on the site of the former Whitemoor Marshalling Yard in March, Cambridgeshire.

The archaeological work formed a condition attached to planning consent for the redevelopment of the site as a National Track Materials Recycling Centre. Cambridgeshire County Council required the work as the site was considered of archaeological interest in terms of remains associated with the former marshalling yard.

The archaeological investigations were completed on time and in budget and cleared the way for construction on the site to commence. WAA co-ordinated the archaeological investigations to accommodate ongoing programmes of ecological survey and site clearance works.

Carrying out the archaeological work in tandem with other ongoing surveys and enabling works precluded the potential for delays further down the line to the client’s construction programme

Advantages to client

• Negotiation with CCC to ensure the archaeological requirements to discharge the planning condition were proportionate and justified
• Co-ordination of the archaeological fieldwork to take account of ecological constraints and enabling works
• Completion of works by a crucial deadline for the commencement of construction activity within the development site
• Successfully discharging the planning condition on behalf of Network Rail.