Data from an Archaeological Monitoring at Moorhall Road, Harefield, Hillingdon, 2021 (HS2 Phase One)
High Speed Two Ltd., MOLA Headland Infrastructure, MOLA Northampton, 2023. https://doi.org/10.5284/1129090. How to cite using this DOI
Data copyright © High Speed Two Ltd. unless otherwise stated
This work is licensed under a The Open Government Licence (OGL).
Primary contact
High Speed Two Ltd.
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Tel: 08081 434 434
Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 4977
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1129090
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
Project Summary
This collection comprises images, spreadsheet, report and site record data from archaeological monitoring which was undertaken on land designated as C10050 Moorhall Road, Harefield, London Borough of Hillingdon NGR 504692 188486. This forms part of the enabling works for the HS2 Ltd rail link Phase One. The monitoring took place between 18th January and 8th April 2021 during enabling works in advance of the construction of the Colne Valley Viaduct on either side of Moorhall Road. The works were carried out by MOLA Headland Infrastructure as part of HS2 Phase One, under the Site Code 1C21CVVAM.
The groundworks were to enable the establishment of compounds and working platforms on either side of the road and consisted of level reductions prior to laying the temporary surface for the compounds, laydown areas and piling platforms.
The land to the north of Moorhall Road was flooded meaning that no meaningful observations or recording could be made. However, the limited observations that were possible suggests that the level reduction was largely confined to removing topsoil mixed with the debris from the recent tree felling.
The works to the south of Moorhall Road involved ground level reduction to the formation level for the temporary compound surface. The pre-reduction surface was at 37.06m AOD at the north end and at 36.33m AOD near the south-west corner of the monitored area. The area was reduced to 36.22m AOD near the north-east corner, and to 36.28m AOD near the south-west corner. Natural gravel was only exposed at the northern end of the stripped area. No features, deposits or finds of archaeological significance were found cutting into the gravel or overlying it. The level reduction was insufficient to the south to expose the gravel. In this area the reduction only exposed the base of the subsoil, which appeared to have been disturbed during the modern period as evidenced by patches of sand within it. No alluvial or peat deposits were exposed.
Re-Use Value Statement
This archive can be used independently and/or in in conjunction with the rest of HS2 datasets in order to inform the archaeological features and periods unearthed on this route as interpretations of landscape archaeology. This can also function as a guide to digital archiving for future infrastructure projects benefiting both the commercial sector and the research community.
