S Engering, S and Barron, H.F. (2007) Doncaster Geodiversity Assessment Volumes 1&2. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report CR/07/025N.
For planning purposes consult Doncaster City Council The report is also available as a PDF download from NERC NORA
Site name: Harlington Railway Cutting
Site key: DR2
Grid reference:
Site type: disused quarries, pits and cuttings
Local authority: Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council, South Yorkshire
Site dimensions: 1500 m x 7 m
Site owner: Not known
Conservation status: Possible Regionally Important Geological Site
Date: No Date
Field surveyor: Scott Engering Date: 13/3/07
Time unit: Carboniferous, Westphalian Rock unit: Ackworth Rock, Pennine Middle Coal Measures Formation, Pennine Coal Measure Group
Rock type: Sandstone Details: Massive cross-bedded sandstone with some flaggy beds
This map is based upon Ordnance Survey topographic material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence Number: 100017897 [2007]
The site surveyed comprises the section of old railway cutting to the east of Harlington. Occasional and very isolated exposures of Ackworth Rock appear in the cutting east of Hollowgate, comprising blocks of massive and cross-bedded sandstone no larger than 2 m by 2 m, with occasional flaggy beds. At no point is there any good section of rock that displays the characteristics of the strata and there is little of educational or scientific value except to note the presence of strata that have not been identified as RIGS. Beween Hollowgate and Green Lane Bridge, the path was covered in deep mud and not safely accessible.
From Green Lane Bridge, exposure of rock in the cutting was slightly better but again these were very small and isolated, with no good full sections. Based on criteria for the original RIGS survey and for the purposes of the current survey, this site would not be considered as as a RIGS, with its only real value being for geological field mapping work.
Ratings: 1–2 very poor; 3–4 poor; 5–6 acceptable/useful; 7–8 quite good; 9–10 very good/excellent; N/A not applicable; D/K don't know
Aspect/Description/Rating road access & parking On street at Green Lane. Very restricted at Hollowgate. Rating: 5
Safety of access From Hollowgate, along specially built path. Muddy bank at Green Lane off agricultural land. Fieldwork precautions needed. Rating: 5
Safety of exposure Exposures visible from cutting floor, but very muddy in places. Rating: 5
Permission to visit N/A
Current condition Most of the eastern end is embankment. Western end more rocky but heavily vegetated. Rating: 5
Current conflicting activities None envisaged
Restricting conditions Limited exposures available
Nature of exposure Old railway cutting
Multiple exposures/prospect for trail Limited value
Notes
Aspect/Description/Rating
Historic, archaeological & literary associations Industrial archaeology and railway history of area. Rating: 5
Aesthetic landscape Very limited due to sunken position. Adjacent to restored site of Barnburgh Colliery. Rating: 4
History of earth sciences Research field mapping value only. Rating: 7
Economic geology Industrial archaeology associated with former Barnburgh Colliery. Rating: 5
Notes Limited value except for associations with Barnburgh Colliery
Surface processes vegetation growth on rocky outcrops Rating: 5
Geomorphology Not applicable Rating: 0
Sedimentary Limited opportunities to study lithology due to lack of exposure. Rating: 5
Fossils Not applicable. Rating: 0
Igneous Not applicable 0
Metamorphic Not applicable 0
Tectonic: structural Not applicable. Rating: 0
Minerals Not applicable.. Rating: 0
Stratigraphy Research and mapping potential as a very rare exposure of Ackworth Rock. Rating: 5
Notes
Limited. Very limited exposure of value to research and field mapping only. Rating: 5