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Summary

A row of pale linear features is visible as a structure on aerial photographs between 1946 and 1957, linking West Yelland Marsh to the foreshore and interpreted as a modern stepped routeway consisting of a series of rock cut incisions or perhaps blocks or shuttered concrete. It is possible that the routeway was part of the Second World War military training area, rather than used by the civilian fishing industry. The structure is not visible on available aerial photographs post-dating the 1950s; presumably it had either been removed or become disused in the mid twentieth century.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• LANDING STEPS (XVIII to XXI - 1751 AD to 2009 AD)

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1420, NMR RAF/106G/91420 3236-3237 15-APR-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349553.

A row of linear features is visible as a possible structure.

Royal Air Force, 1957, RAF/58/2205 F21, NMR RAF/58/2205 F21 0043 05-JUL-1957 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349736.

The line of linear features is visible and there may be a structure across the top of the embankment to the east.

Next Perspectives, 2010, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4732 08-APR-2010 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349899.

Three linear features are visible below the water line, although those on the rocks above the water line are not visible.

Hegarty, C. + Knight, S., 2011-2012, North Devon Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty National Mapping Programme Project (Interpretation). SDV349018.

A row of pale linear features is visible as a structure on aerial photographs between 1946 and 1957. They appear to be cut into the rock of Cool Stone and aligned at right angles to the contour, linking West Yelland Marsh to the foreshore, perhaps a stepped routeway consisting of a series of rock cut incisions or perhaps blocks or shuttered concrete. At 7 metres in width and approximately 7 metres apart the ‘steps’ may have functioned more as barriers to reduce slippage, perhaps for vessels entering and leaving the water. It is possible that the routeway was part of the Second World War military training area, rather than used by the civilian fishing industry. A rectangular structure crossing the bank is visible on aerial photographs in the 1950s and may be present in the 1940s, when aerial photographs of this area are indistinct, suggesting that this could have been an embarkation point for training exercises or fishing trips. Most of the routeway structure is not visible on available aerial photographs post-dating the 1950s, although some lower down are visible below water on aerial photographs dating to 2010. Presumably those higher up have either been removed or disuse has allowed colonisation by flora and fauna, resulting in reduced visiblilty.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV349018	Interpretation: Hegarty, C. + Knight, S.. 2011-2012. North Devon Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty National Mapping Programme Project. AC Archaeology Report. ACD383/2/1. Digital.
	Linked documents:1
SDV349553	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1420. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/91420 3236-3237 15-APR-1946. [Mapped feature: #62064 ]
SDV349736	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1957. RAF/58/2205 F21. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/58/2205 F21 0043 05-JUL-1957.
SDV349899	Aerial Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2010. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Digital. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4732 08-APR-2010.

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV6132 - North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty NMP Project (Ref: ACD383/2/1)

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