A water company has got back to work after discovering a ‘Roman road’.
The possible first-century ford was discovered by Severn Trent workmen while installing a water pipe near Evesham.
On discovery of the road, Severn Trent stopped work and reported the find to Historic England.
However, work has now recommenced, with Severn Trent having found an alternative route around the site.
A Severn Trent spokesperson said: “The archaeological site was discovered while engineers were installing a 2km pipe which will take treated water that has been through the wastewater treatment process - and which therefore meets the stringent standards defined by the Environment Agency (EA) - before being returned to the environment.
“The work is part of our investment in Evesham's local infrastructure to increase sewer network capacity and make sure that the network continues to meet the demands of a growing population.”
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A resident, who wishes to remain nameless, raised concerns that the work would see a pipe installed that would send raw sewage into the River Severn.
They claim this was due to Broadway Brook having become over polluted.
“Broadway Brook used to be teeming with fish but now is a dead river,” said the local.
“The new overflow is for housing development and will discharge directly into the Avon – just upstream from Evesham.
“This will put raw sewage into the river potentially killing the fish that attracts hundreds of fishermen to Evesham.”
However, Severn Trent stated that this is not the case, and that the pipe will only transport treated water which meets the Environment Agency’s standard.
The spokesperson added: “Based on latest EA water quality measures, 72% of reasons for Broadway Brook not achieving good ecological status are due to other sectors, with 28% within the control of Severn Trent.
“The EA data also shows that two key parameters linked to thriving fish populations, dissolved oxygen and ammonia, are at better levels than those required to achieve the EA’s good river status.”
They continued: “Severn Trent is moving faster, in some cases 20 years ahead of sector targets, to improve the quality of the region’s rivers.
“We’ve committed that our operations will not be the reason for any stretch of river in the whole Severn Trent region to be classified as unhealthy by 2030.”
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Severn Trent stated it will continue to work with the council and Aidan Smyth, archaeology advisor for Wychavon, while work continues in the vicinity of the ford.
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