The hidden history of Suffolk’s past could be brought to light in the coming weeks and months as onshore archaeological works get underway for ScottishPower Renewables’ East Anglia TWO and East Anglia ONE North offshore windfarms.

Archaeological charities, MOLA and Wessex Archaeology, will lead a team of experts on the works, which will be undertaken along a 9.7km corridor between Thorpeness – the cable landfall site for the projects – and the onshore substation site at Friston.

The team will complete a series of archaeological investigations along the route between now and the end of 2025 as part of the early development works for the two windfarms, which will collectively generate enough green electricity to power the equivalent of more than 1.8 million homes.

Initial research and trial excavations suggests there is potential for archaeological discoveries from both the prehistoric and medieval ages as well as more recent periods.

The works have been designed to ensure the protection, conservation and preservation of archaeological artefacts and items important to Suffolk’s history and heritage. They have also been carefully and considerately planned to minimise any disruption to local people and communities.

To reduce the increase in traffic volumes in and around Friston, a dedicated works compound is being established at Harrow Lane, Theberton on an old airfield runway.

As a result of the modifications required to provide appropriate access – and to ensure these can be carried out safely – a section of Harrow Road needs to be closed temporarily. Diversions and traffic management restrictions will be in place from Tuesday 22 October and the works are expected to take around one week.

A new access point will also be created at Grove Road, Friston to minimise the impact on public rights of way and local residential properties. To ensure this can be constructed safely, a section of Grove Road, Friston needs to be closed temporarily. Diversions and traffic management restrictions will be in place from Monday 28 October and the works are expected to take up to three weeks to complete.

In both locations, access for pedestrians and cyclists will be maintained at all times, and advance warning signage is being put in place to ensure local people can plan accordingly.

Paul Monaghan, ScottishPower Renewables’ Project Manager, said: “The start of our onshore archaeological works is a major step for our clean energy projects and could unearth lots of significant finds for Suffolk, as we’ve seen in the past.

“We’re very mindful that we’ll be working alongside local people and communities and are taking the right approach to safely complete the works, while doing everything we can to minimise the impact on local people and communities. This includes the use of the old airfield, which will reduce the number of vehicle movements within the community and also takes away the need to make use of neighbouring fields.

“There will be two unavoidable short-term road closures on sections of Harrow Lane and Grove Road, which we have informed local residents about. These are to construct new access points that will help keep the works vehicles moving and away from local traffic and we’re committed to completing the works as quickly as possible. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience or disruption caused.”

Details of any archaeological findings will be shared with the local community, with public open days planned once the works are complete to display discovered items and give local people the chance to meet the teams who found them.