Site Event/Activity record ECH6512 - Parkside Link, Newton-le-Willows: Archaeological Evaluation Report

Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) was commissioned by The Environment Partnership (TEP) on behalf of Ramboll UK, to undertake a trial trench evaluation comprising 14 trenches on land either side of the M6 motorway close to Junction 22 (centred on NGR: SJ 608 949). The work is part of a proposed new link road connecting the M6 to the proposed Parkside Development, as well as providing a link between the A49 and M6. The work was undertaken in association with the submission of a planning application and Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service (MEAS) and Cheshire Archaeology Planning Advisory Service (CAPAS), in their capacity as advisors to the local planning authorities, advised that a scheme of archaeological works, including geophysical survey (which was completed in 2007) and subsequent trial trenching, to assess the archaeological potential of the development site, was appropriate. The aims of the evaluation were to identify any archaeological deposits within the investigation area both within and outside of those areas subject to the 2007 geophysical survey. The excavation of 14 trenches was undertaken, although Trench 3 was relocated approximately 10m to the north of its original location due to flooding. The excavations were quite shallow, with most trenches being under 0.5m in depth. Features were present in seven of the 14 trenches, and were broadly categorised as linear ditches cut for land division and drainage. Three trenches were targeted on suspected features highlighted by the geophysical survey (Trenches 3, 4 and 5), and confirmed the presence of corresponding features. While some of the responses abstracted from the geophysical survey were revealed, they are probably related to drainage or are field boundaries of post-medieval origin. It is likely therefore, that the proposed development will not impact upon any archaeological remains of any significance. The soil sequence between all trenches was fairly uniform. The natural geology of red/orange sandy-clay was overlain by was overlain by a mid-grey/brown humic clay topsoil. Only Trench 3 contained a separate subsoil. A small amount of artefactual evidence was recovered, most of which was pottery and brick of post-medieval date. No deposits suitable for sampling and radiocarbon dating were present. (1)