NHER 54571 (Monument record) - Modern pipeline or possible section of Roman road

February 2011. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a possible section of Roman road may be visible on aerial photographs of Brettenham (S1), however it is considered more likely that this feature relates to a modern pipeline. However the road-like feature could feasibly represent a possible continuation or branch road associated with the road (NHER 54566) mapped to the north, that would appear to the route of the Peddars Way running through the site of the Roman settlement (NHER 5653). The site is centred on TL 9415 8308.
Consultation of aerial photographs dating to the 1940s and 1970 revealed no conclusive signs of this feature (for example S2-S6), although it must be noted that this area frequently has an exceptionally poor cropmark response, other than for revealing geological and natural cropmarks. This could suggest that the linear feature clearly visible in 1975 (S1) relates to a pipeline cut in-between May 1970 and June 1975. Although no recent disturbance can be seen at field and road junctions. Gaps in the vegetation are visible at the some of the points that feature intersects with boundaries, which could suggest previous clearance of these areas for the cutting of a pipeline in the past. Although it must be noted that at least one of these apparent gaps in the vegetation corresponding with the linear appears to be present in the 1940s (S3). The southern extent of the linear also heads towards the corner of a field, another feature which could suggest that it is a pipeline.
However given the possible relationship with the Roman road to the north (NHER 54566) and the Peddars Way (NHER 1289), this road-like cropmark was recorded. If this feature is a section of Roman road, it either represents a minor branch road of the Peddars Way (NHER 1289) or potentially even a significant diversion from the suggested line of this major road. However it must be stated again that this linear feature is most likely to relate to a modern pipeline.
S. Horlock (NMP), 02 February 2011.