Building record 298/1/4 - Possible Canal Overflow in Hatton

A structure associated with the former Chester Canal (now the Shropshire Union Canal) was discovered during an inspection of nearby World War Two monuments [CSMR 4064/0/1 and 4064/0/2]. It lies at a right angle to the canal and consists of a substantial but partly filled ditch that on one side connects to a large drainage ditch. The other side of the ditch deepens and reaches a blue brick wall with an arch set at the bottom. Detailed examination could not be carried out at the time due to heavy vegetation.
The arch appears to be small but lies approximately 2 meters below the current land level and level of the water of the canal, and the wall is approximately 2 meters away from the canal. It seems plausible that this once served as an outlet for water from the canal, possibly being used further down the ditch, however it may be a tunnel that originally carried the water from ditches on one side of the canal to the other. It is not marked on the Ordnance survey first edition 25inch to 1mile maps (2) and so had probably fallen out of use by then as it appears to be contemporary with the canal (1).

<1> County Historic Environment Record, Site Visit/Watching Brief Observation Report Form, 01.07.04 (Unpublished Document). SCH4357.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.