Site Event/Activity record ECH4232 - Ditton Rail, Freight Park, Widnes, Cheshire; Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment.

The majority of the proposed development site consits of undeveloped agricultural land and is thought to hold considerable archaeological potential. Roman and Medieval finds, recovered from the site in the nineteenth century, suggest that Roman or Prehistoric settlement remains may exist in the vicinity. The finds were made at a considerable depth, probably due to the large build up of estuarine deposits during the last two thousand years; these deposits posess significant palaeoenvironmental potential and any archaeology may be extremely well-preserved. Excavations in advance of the construction of the nearby A5300 proved the potential for the existance of hitherto unknown prehistoric remains associated with Ditton Brook. Within the proposed development area a number of other sites of archaeological potential, some of which may date to the medieval period, for instance the former trackway assocaited with Lovel's Hall. However, the majority of the sites date to the post-medieval period, particularly those associated with former buildings or potential buildings or potentail buildings identified through cartographic sources. There is also the potential that some of the undated sites, such as field names, may provide evidence of the medieval ore earlier activity. The recommendations for further archaeological assessment included a site-wide geophysical survey followed by a programme of trial-trenching targeted at specific areas. In addition, those sites with a Statuotory Designation may need to be considered in terms of indirect impact. (1)