Site Event/Activity record ECH4014 - Land at Old Quay, Runcorn, Cheshire: An Archaeological Desk Based Assessment

A desk-based assessment was produced in 2004 for land at the Old Quay, Runcorn. The Old Quay was progressively developed during the 19th century and, in its final form, consisted of an extensive complex docks, locks, moorings, and tidal basins extending for circa 600m along the southern shores of the Mersey Estuary, immediately to the east of Runcorn Old Town. A Watching Brief in selected areas by the University Of Manchester Archaeological Unit allowed the further investigation of a number of areas of interest identified by an earlier Desk-Based Assessment. Of particular note was the fact that, prior to construction of the docks, large quantities of sandstone rubble and clay had been dumped on the foreshore to build up the land and provide a firm base for the construction of the docks. A similar phenomenon has been noted during observations made at the former docks around Bridgewater House to the west of Runcorn Old Town. (1)