Site Event/Activity record ECH3018 - Minor Excavation Between Dig Lane Farm and the A56, Netherton

Test Trench conducted at the Netherton end of the drive between the eastern boundary hedge of Dig Lane farm and the modern A56. The top soil removed of 250mm depth revealed a pebbled surface hammered into hard red clay. On the west side the original ditch had been deepened and more to the centre a field drain had been inserted, and topped off with modern clinker. The width of the track could not be determined due to a small quarry which had destroyed the east side of the track. A cut through the stony surface revealed that it was only 150mm deep in the centre tapering to 75mm on the western side, beneath there was a layer of a hard compact dark brown sand 250mm thick on a natural ground of hard red sand. Route founded by Romans probable used as Entrance drive to Frodsham Castle (1).