Site Event/Activity record ECH6625 - CONFIDENTIAL: A55 Chester Bypass Lay-bys: Cultural Heritage Desk Based Assessment

The A55 forms part of the strategic trunk road network, extending from M53 Junction 12 (Huntington) south-west towards the Welsh border A55 junction 38 (Marleston-cum-Lache). Following a review of the A55 route safety, by Balfour Beatty on behalf of Highways England analysis identified existing lay-bys as a safety concern due to their current design which did not conform to DMRB TD 69/07 Type A standards. Subsequently design options have been proposed for alterations to five lay-bys (Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6). An additional lay-by (No. 3) was not feasible due to its position adjacent to residential properties and was therefore eliminated from the scheme. This report provides an assessment of the archaeological and historical potential and any heritage constraints that have the potential to affect the proposed design of the scheme. There is a high potential for unrecorded remains to be present within the design of lay-by 5 due to the proximity of previously recorded Roman settlement. Part of the Watling Street Roman road was recorded adjacent to lay-bys 2 and 5 during construction of the A55 carriageway. A walkover survey of the current lay-bys illustrated potential disturbance to the proposed designs of lay-bys 2 and 4 and therefore the potential for unrecorded remains here is low. A geophysical survey undertaken on the field immediately adjacent to lay-by 1 and 6 revealed anomalies only relating to recent agricultural practices and the potential for unrecorded remains prior to the post-medieval period is low. In summary, it is likely that the following would be the proportionate level of further work: Lay-by 1 and 6: no further work based on previous survey results in the field adjacent. Lay-by 2 and 4: may be appropriate to check ground investigation logs to establish the level of disturbance here. Lay-by 5: Evaluation Trench to establish the presence or absence of archaeological remains. (1)