Site Event/Activity record ECH6646 - Middlewich Eastern Bypass. Detailed Gradiometer Survey Report

A detailed gradiometer survey was conducted over a linear route, approximately 2.8 km in length, to the east of Middlewich, Cheshire, extending from Pochin way in the north (NGR: 371484, 366441) to the A533, near Moston in the south (NGR 372285 363817). The project was commissioned by Jacobs (UK) Ltd., on behalf of Cheshire East Council, with the aim of establishing the presence, or otherwise, and nature of detectable archaeological features, in support of a planning application for the development of the Middlewich Eastern Bypass. The site comprises several arable and pasture fields located over land east of Middlewich, Cheshire, covering a combined area of 27.5 ha. Fieldwork was undertaken between 26th March and 2nd of April 2018. The detailed gradiometer survey has detected a small number of anomalies thought to be archaeological in origin across the scheme. The clearest of these has been identified in Area 21 where a rectilinear anomaly was revealed, most likely an enclosure with internal divisions. Further ditch-like anomalies are also noted in the northern portion of the scheme and Area 6 contains parallel linear anomalies, which could be associated with a possible trackway or land division, and a possible ditch-like feature. Similarly, Area 17 contains a single linear anomaly that could be evidence of a possible ditch-like land division. Known extraction activity is noted in Area 15/15a, where a clear area of increased magnetic response corresponds to a former extraction pit, likely to be one of several pits noted in the landscape on historic Ordnance Survey (OS) mapping dating to the late 19th Century. The exact origin of this feature is not clear from the dataset but it can be plausibly attributed to the medieval or post-medieval period. Within this area, there is also evidence for a former field boundary and probable trackway leading to the extraction pit. Former field boundaries have been identified in Area 12/12a, 15/15a and 16. Several other former field boundaries are noted on historic OS mapping but have not been identified by the survey. Ploughing and other agricultural activity is also noted throughout the majority of the survey areas and possible ridge and furrow has been identified in Area 10, 15/15a, 16 and 21. In addition, a limited amount of superficial geological variation is recorded within the survey results and modern services have been clearly identified in Area 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 13, 15, and 17. (1)