Archaeological Surveys - Norwich to Tilbury by National Grid

Residents

Please see below an email recently received by Lawford Parish Council regarding the above.

Dear Lawford Parish Council

As you will be aware, we are developing proposals for a new electricity connection between Norwich and Tilbury. To help us develop our proposals, and understand how we can mitigate any impacts, we need to carry out surveys along the proposed route and at the proposed site for the EACN substation east of Ardleigh.  

Each month we publish information on our project website to show where we are carrying out surveys and we’ve already undertaken a number of environmental and ground investigation studies along the route. These have included non-invasive geophysical surveys which have allowed us to create maps of subsurface archaeological features, and we are now starting to carry out more detailed archaeology surveys – including targeted trial trenching on and around the proposed site for the new substation, as well as locations along the route.  

We’ve discussed how we will carry out the surveys with Essex County Council and we are using a well-established approach which involves digging investigative trenches. Each trench will be assessed by our survey team and inspected and signed off by representatives of Essex County Council before being filled back in.  

We've recently started excavating trenches at the proposed EACN site and expect to complete the surveys in early November, depending on progress and ongoing weather conditions.  

All the surveys are taking place on private land, and we have been in contact with landowners to agree access arrangements. We do not expect to impact any public rights of way and if a site is close to a public footpath, we will ensure there are appropriate safety measures in place. 

We want to reassure everyone that we are undertaking surveys and not starting any construction work on site. We will send out an electronic newsletter to everyone who has registered to stay in touch, and we would be grateful if you could link to it in any parish magazine or website. 

If you or any of the parish council or local residents have any questions about our archaeological surveys, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Our team can be reached at contact [at] n-t.nationalgrid.com or by phone at +44 (0) 800 915 2497.