A3 Thursley Junction
Feb 17, 2009 by Stuart Eve
Birse Civils Ltd contracted L – P : Archaeology to assist with the archaeological components of a Highways Agency project at Thursley junction on the A3 in Surrey about 10 miles south of Guildford. To reduce traffic accident potential at this previously dangerous junction, a new bridge and associated slip roads were to be constructed.
Provision was made in the construction programme for a programme of archaeological work to be carried out both in advance and during works on site.
A watching brief to identify, record and retrieve any archaeological remains took place on all construction groundworks, including stripping of land for the slip road, bridge pad and drainage pipe, and for a temporary works building and associated services. In addition L – P carried out a topographic survey of archaeological field monuments in the area. This survey revealed shallow pits on either side of the road, which were interpreted as depleted ironstone quarries dating to the 18th/19th centuries.
No archaeological features or artefacts other than the two quarries were recognised and, due to these early negative results, it was possible to negotiate for the archaeological work at the site to cease sooner rather than later.
| Client: | Birse Civils |
| Site: | A3 Thursley Junction |
| Development type: | Transport |