COPA is formed from Cotswold Archaeology; Oxford Archaeology and Pre-Construct Archaeology, three of the largest archaeological companies in the country – recently combined to share and support the experience in delivery of complex archaeological projects.
They have announced that a new website has been launched www.coparchaeology.co.uk to showcase the capability of the UK’s largest consortium of professional archaeologists.
This allows COPA to bid for major elements of archaeological work required during the construction of Phase 1 of the HS2 high speed railway line between London and Birmingham. The anticipated start date for archaeological fieldwork is as early as 2017 and last for several years. Along with other large consortiums, COPA will be involved in what is likely to be the largest programme of archaeological investigation ever seen in this country. In preparation, they have a set of established offices within easy reach of the route of HS2.
This is of course in conjunction with all the other works and projects that will normally take place during our working year.
All three partners have a proven record of working together. Oxford and Pre-Construct have collaborated on a number of projects, including the Thameslink railway improvement in London; Cotswold and Oxford are currently working on a complex excavation in Oxfordshire, and Pre-Construct and Cotswold jointly delivered the investigations in advance of the Cabot Circus shopping centre in Bristol. [http://www.coparchaeology.co.uk/recent-work/]
Gary Brown, PCA’s Managing Director, said ‘We are delighted to have formed COPA with our long-established partners, and we will collectively be working hard over the coming months as we seek to secure our involvement in this unique opportunity to transform our knowledge of the past societies that once lived on the line of the new railway’.
Learn more at their new website: www.coparchaeology.co.uk