Site Event/Activity record ECH3725 - Land at Spencer Street, Northwich, Cheshire: An Archaeological Watching Brief

Rapid desk top survey and an archaeological watching brief conducted on land at Spencer Street, Northwich. The redevelopment site covers an area of approximately 3.2 hectares and lies between Spencer Street and the Weaver Navigation Canal. The remains of possibly two Roman forts have been identified, about 300 metres to the north-west of the site, on the flat, elevated ground known as "castle". Other finds of Romano-British date have come form the area between the "forts" and the redevelopment site; importantly, four lead salt pans were recovered close to the northern boundary of the site. Cartographic evidence has shown that the site once contained extensive industrial structures associated with boat building. The watching brief undertaken during the preliminary groundworks identified, at least in part, the remains of these structures and the associated deposits. It was concluded that the widespread disturbance associated with the development of the site for shipbuilding activities has effectively resulted in the destruction of any archaeological remains that may have once been present. (1)