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Excavation commenced in 2004 after a desk-based study, geophysical survey and trenched evaluation, which suggested a higher density of Iron Age and Roman occupation along the route than had been thought. These investigations informed the decisions for detailed mitgation by excavation.
The excavations, across an extensive area of South Midlands claylands, produced evidence for the development of the social and agrarian landscape and environment from prehistory to the Middle Ages.
At the heart of the project was the commitment for research and publication and to present the results to the wider public. A research seminar drew together interested parties and key stakeholders to discuss the results of the excavation and the draft Post-excavation Assessment, and this drove the resulting updated project design forward towards publication.
In the words of the contractor's archaeologist, Michael Dawson, 'the success of the project reflects the high level of teamwork between the archaeologists and the main contractors'.
