High Speed 2 (HS2): Phase 1
Cotswold Archaeology carried out investigations and provided consultancy along the London–Birmingham route from 2011 to 2025 for Fusion/HS2 Ltd. Initial consultancy included the detailed research and production of desk-based assessments and heritage statements, towards the Environmental Statement.
In 2017, Cotswold Archaeology formed COPA, a Joint Venture with Oxford Archaeology and Pre-Construct Archaeology, to deliver the fieldwork elements of the project. As COPA we undertook the Urgent Works Package on the 100km central section and were deployed on geophysical surveys (30), trial trenching (25 investigations/over 3000 trenches) and test-pitting (3000 pits), as well as fieldwalking, metal detecting, palaeo-environmental surveys and reporting (60+ reports submitted to OASIS and archived). Liaison with stakeholders was undertaken to negotiate land access and programme delivery.
Our consultancy team produced over 170 project plans and written schemes of investigation, as well as landscape and historic buildings recording.
During the main works we conducted over 20ha of excavations through significant archaeological sites, which were taken to post-excavation analysis. Throughout we undertook outreach activities, school visits, talks and webinars.
Digital Recording and GIS layered mapping ensured ‘born-digital’ recording and output. Our GIS included geophysics, map regressions, geology, logistics (welfare, access etc.) and constraints (services, ecology, etc.). This information allowed real time updates on progress for faster decision making and curator and client sign off.
Cotswold Archaeology’s four offices and over 350 personnel offer a scalable response to demand. To meet a changing programme and access requirements, staff and plant numbers were operated flexibly. Additionally, we utilised teams of Civil Engineers, Quantity-surveyors, administrators, security guards and many others during the scheme to ensure the successful delivery of our services.
Project success was measured against milestones agreed at the outset of work and formalised through an NEC contract and P6 baseline programme. Adherence to the programme was monitored through regular reporting and client meetings.
