Innovation Park Medway - Archaeological Services

Archaeological services for works to be carried out at the Innovation Park Medway at the Northern and Southern sites.

The Northern Site requires an archaeological strip, map and sample (SMS) excavation of the 10.8ha area. The SMS is designed to preserve remains ‘by record’ and will involve archaeological excavation, recording and sampling during the preliminary topsoil strip carried out by the Principal Contractor. The strip is to be undertaken in 8 no. phases (See WSI 2021: Figure 4), commencing with SMS of the compound/welfare area in the north-west of the site.

For the preliminary topsoil strip, it will be necessary for topsoil to be stored within the site. This will necessitate an iterative, staged approach with areas released back to the Principal Contractor for construction/reinstatement. Prior to the commencement of excavation and sampling within defined areas of the site, a pre-excavation plan will be produced for a strategy meeting. The plan will be used to guide the sampling strategy and where warranted, a reduction in scope, to reflect a focus on the key research aims. These will be refined as the work progresses.

The archaeological fieldwork contractor will work in a systematic fashion in consultation with the Principal Contractor to allow sections of the excavation area to be signed off by the LPA Archaeological Advisor at weekly monitoring visits.

The Southern Site requires an archaeological watching brief to be maintained during groundworks of the proposed new access road in the western part of the site.