Site Event/Activity record ECH4115 - An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment of Northwich Vision, Northwich, Cheshire; Final Report.

This report describes the results of an archaeological desk-based assessment of land for a proposed highway development, Northwich, Cheshire. The study was confined to a survey of published and unpublished documents, photographs and maps. The study found that the proposed development lies to the north of the historic core of Northwich, in an area exploited for salt extraction since at least the 18th century and probably since the Roman and Iron Ages. Although there is little evidence for settlement predating the medieval period in the study area, Witton Street, along its southern boundary, follows the line of the Roman road from Chester to Manchester (Watling Street) and there is some evidence to suggest that civilian settlement occurred along this section. Later map evidence suggests that Witton Street was laid out in a series of narrow burgage plots in the medieval period and these form the basis of the current street layout. The area to the north appears to have been occupied by an open field system characteristic of medieval agriculture. Although there is no direct evidence, documentary evidence suggests that this area was already in use for salt extraction. From the mid-18th century the scale of salt extraction rapidly expanded until by the late 19th century it was a significant industry forming the basis of Northwich's prosperity. The mines finally closed in the early 20th century and most of their associated infrastructure has since been swept away with little surviving above ground. The combined impacts of 18th, 19th and 20th century development and subsidence resulting from mining suggests that little survives below ground of earlier periods, though pockets of undisturbed material may survive, particularly along the banks of the River Weaver and to the north of Witton Street. There is some potential for the survival of remains relating to the areas industrial archaeology, particularly in the areas outlined above, although later 20th century development is likely to have obliterated this across much of the eastern half of the site.