| Abstract: |
Wessex Archaeology has been commissioned by Posford Haskoning to undertake an
archaeological assessment of ‘wetside’ elements of the London Gateway proposals at Shell
Haven in Essex. The proposal encompass development of a container port and associated
development on land, reclamation of predominantly intertidal areas to a new quay line, and
dredging of the berths and sections of the navigational channels approaching and entering
the Thames. The proposal is being promoted by P&O/Shell in conjunction with the Port of
London Authority (PLA).
The ‘wetside’ comprises all areas seaward of the seawall at Shell Haven, including intertidal
areas and marine (subtidal) areas. The marine areas include the series of proposed dredging
areas along the approaches to the Thames as far as The Sunk, some 12 nautical miles eastsouth-
east of Harwich.
Oxford Archaeological Unit, commissioned by Oscar Faber Consulting Engineers, is carrying
out the dryside assessment, and both the dryside and wetside archaeological assessments
are being carried out in an integrated manner under the advice of Gill Andrews, Consultant
Archaeologist.
Data has been obtained principally from two sources, the UK Hydrographic Office and the
National Monument Record, generating 232 records from the UKHO and 1362 records from
the NMR. These datasets were correlated with other sources and cross-referenced to the
Study Area, resulting in a total of 254 wrecks within the Study Area and 519 casualties for
relevant named locations.
Additionally, an extensive review of secondary sources and of historic charts and sailing
instructions has been undertaken, together with a site visit, observation of marine
geotechnical investigations, and examination of historic air photographs.
The assessment identifies a series of likely significant effects on the archaeological heritage,
encompassing known sites and potential sites in former creeks, in Shell Haven wetside and in
the areas proposed for channel dredging and wreck clearance. The effects vary from Minor
Adverse to Major Adverse, though it is noted that field investigation is required to establish the
importance of some sites.
Mitigation measures are proposed, in the form of investigation, monitoring and procedures for
reporting fortuitous discoveries. The detail of mitigation measures for individual sites will be
based on further archaeological investigations, including geophysical surveys and
archaeological inspections. Analysis, material conservation, archiving and dissemination will
accompany mitigation.
The proposed mitigation will offset any physical loss of the archaeological heritage, such that
the residual effect of the London Gateway proposals is only Minor Adverse or even beneficial.
The net result is that accompanied by appropriate mitigation, the effects of the London
Gateway proposals on the intertidal and marine archaeological heritage are sustainable. |
