Site Event/Activity record ECH6039 - An Archaeological Watching Brief During Construction of New Stadium Facilities in Victoria Park, Knutsford Road, Warrington

Final Report on Watching brief on area on the south bank of the River Mersey during construction of new stadium facilities in Victoria Park, Knutsford Road, Warrington. Observation on monitoring of groundworks for new roads and drainage found no archaeological deposits or significant artefacts which is potentially due to the site lying just outside the original River Mersey Channel. This was formed by a loop in the river known as "the Hell Hole" which formed a major hazard to navigation until it was by-passed and allowed to silt up in the late 18th century. Prior to being incorporated into Victoria Park the area was known as ‘Old Warps’, the name is first recorded as 'Olerwarpe' in the 16th century and means 'Land built up by silting'. The natural deposits observed were interbedded sands and clays. (1)