Water network drains and animal waste
Water-main works exposed brick and sandstone drainage structures in Green Lane and near adjoining roads, and a brick culvert off Worcester Road.
No public image is currently linked to this place.
What this record tells us
Archaeological observation of groundworks forming part of the Midsummer Meadows Leominster mains refurbishment scheme took place between 4th July 2005 and 21st September 2006. Excavations ceased on 30th September 2005 for engineering reasons and resumed on 24th November 2005. Revealed during this programme of observation were: 1/ A post-medieval brick drain with sandstone capping stones located in Green Lane. 2/ A covered drainage channel possibly associated with road improvements carried out in the 18th or early 19th century, which lay beneath the modern road surface at the junction of Green Lane, Oldfields Close and Townsend Court and was of coursed sandstone construction with sandstone capping stones. In addition to this, a pit excavated nearby at the junction of Green Lane and Thomas Court revealed two large unworked sandstone blocks at a depth of c.0.5m. 3/ A brick culvert revealed in a pit located off Worcester Road, which may well have been associated with the construction of the Shrewsbury and Hereford Railway in the 1850s. 4/ A pit containing animal bone and horncores, probably representing waste either from tanning or butchery. This pit was located at Cheaton Close in an area of Leominster known as The Marsh where several individuals were engaged in tanning or related industries during the mid-19th century. The majority of deposits revealed during the engineering works had been disturbed by previous utility activity; however, the archaeological observation programme confirmed that no structures, features or deposits of archaeological significance were damaged during the course of the engineering works.
Additional research and clarification, 26 September 2026 Water-main works exposed brick and sandstone drainage structures in Green Lane and near adjoining roads, and a brick culvert off Worcester Road. At Cheaton Close in the Marsh, a pit contained animal bone and horncores, possibly waste from tanning or butchery.
The central grid supplied for the scheme cannot locate each trench. Drain construction and animal processing are separate observations across the town, and the possible railway association of the Worcester Road culvert remains an interpretation. Much ground had already been disturbed by utilities, but even small surviving pockets added detail to the history of streets and trades.
How this record is evidenced
Existing map record checked against the research catalogue and cited source.
The investigation details are drawn from Archaeology Data Service; the original publication or report remains the authoritative source.
The clean title and short public summary have been prepared by Leominster Heritage and remain separate from the wording of the source record.
The open questions below identify the details that have not yet been securely established.
Map location
Loading map…
Water network drains and animal waste
Fieldwork report · 4 July 2005 to 21 September 2006, with a break in works
Water-main works exposed brick and sandstone drainage structures in Green Lane and near adjoining roads, and a brick culvert off Worcester Road.
Source and further reading
Entry-specific references: ADS 1100296; Leominster Water Network Scheme report
View the original sourceOpen questions
- Who prepared the original report, and can its full bibliographic details be confirmed?
HELP IMPROVE THIS RECORD
Can you add a date, source, photograph or correction?
Contributions are reviewed before they are added to the public record.
Add to the record