The integrity of a 4,000-year-old burial ground will be safeguarded as part of the East West Rail project, which aims to connect Oxford and Cambridge. The site at Money Hill, located between Haslingfield and Barrington in Cambridgeshire, is home to 11 ancient burial mounds that form part of a wider multi-period archaeological landscape. Archaeological investigations have revealed that the mounds, varying from 20 to 55 metres in diameter, were used over several centuries, reflecting different burial traditions from around 3800 to 1400 BC.

Originally, East West Rail’s preferred route into Cambridge passed close to the site, but following detailed heritage and environmental assessments, plans have been adapted to ensure the burial ground’s preservation. The company has confirmed it will now construct a mined tunnel rather than a surface cutting through the area, protecting the integrity of this nationally significant Bronze Age site.

Tristan Lincoln-Green, Head of Environment at EWR Co, said: “Our proposals have evolved through collaboration to ensure this nationally significant site is protected, demonstrating how development and heritage can successfully co-exist.” The firm has worked closely with Historic England and local stakeholders to balance modern infrastructure needs with heritage preservation.

Tony Calladine, East of England regional director at Historic England, said: “The ancient burial grounds of Money Hill in Cambridgeshire demonstrate the importance of our historic landscapes and the stories they tell of our ancestors. The archaeological surveys carried out for East West Rail have given an amazing insight into Bronze Age life and led to the protection of this important site, connecting us with communities from the past as the infrastructure project connects people today.”

Image: East West Rail