Southern Water discovers Roman remains along proposed pipeline route

Wessex Archeology, working with Southern Water, discovered a Roman grave and coin during an investigation carried out as part of the £900m Water for Life project.

Before the project can start, the company must satisfy regulators including Natural England, Environment Agency, Historic England and Local Planning Authorities that the plans will not damage the environment or destroy precious remains of UK history.

The discovered Roman coin (Image: Southern Water)Dr Nicola Meakins, who leads Southern Water’s enabling teams, said: “We build big projects across the region and are spending £3b between 2020 and 2025 on improving our assets. But before the key can be turned on a digger, my team of ecologists and surveyors have to carry out numerous assessments. Whether it’s the discovery of rare hazel dormouse habitat, badger setts or as in this case archaeological remains, a plan must be put in place to prevent or mitigate damage.

“Roman graves are not uncommon – when the Romans built roads legionnaires who died were simply buried by the side of the road. Wessex Archaeology learns something new every time one is found. In this case, the discovery of a 2000-year-old coin helps us to understand what was happening in the area back then.”

The Water for Life project will see the first reservoir built in England for 25 years at Havant Thicket near Portsmouth.

As part of the programme, which will reduce Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s reliance on the chalk rivers of the Test and Itchen, will also see the introduction of new pipelines to increase connections between every corner of the region and especially between key water supply works at Testwood, Otterbourne and River Way, near Andover.

The location of the find has not been revealed.