Site Event/Activity record ECH7315 - Land North of the Mersey, Warrington: Archaeological Watching Brief Report

A watching brief was undertaken in 2024 at the site of a former industrial estate and golf driving range, north of the River Mersey and on the southern outskirts of Warrington. This was required to mitigate the potential impact of the deepest ground works upon potential archaeological assets across the site. Several find sites located in close proximity to the site, along either side of the river Mersey, suggested that, if archaeological remains were encountered, they could comprise very significant remains, in the form of either prehistoric human remains, or else the preservation of organic finds, such as early medieval boats and other features. This potential was thought to reside within underlying clay deposits forming aspects of the floodplain for the Mersey, which would potentially be impacted upon by deeper ground works. An archeological watching brief was therefore maintained during the excavation of deeper service trenches. This was undertaken between October 2021 and January 2023. While underlying clay deposits were recorded, below considerable depths of made ground and demolition deposits across almost all parts of the site, no archaeological features or deposits were observed. (1)