Monument record 2513/5 - Lion Salt Works, Brine Extraction Train

<1> Earthworks Archaeological Services, 2019, Refurbishment of the Brine Extraction Train, Lion Salt Works, Marston, Northwich, Cheshire: An Archaeological Watching Brief, R4368 (Client Report). SCH8783.

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken in July 2019 at the former Lion Salt Works, Marston, during groundworks to refurbish part of the salt works known as the brine extraction train. This was a structure that permitted the extraction of brine from a bore-hole sunk during the 1930s. The watching brief revealed information regarding the train. Excavation of the new foundation pits along the length of the train, along with that on the north side in particular, demonstrated that red clay had been utilised to form an earthwork, or bund, upon which the concrete plinth supporting the various mechanisms of the train, including the header tank and nodding donkey, were constructed. Unlike the south side of the train, where the clay earthwork was retained by a brick wall strengthened by four buttresses, on the north side the earthwork was finished at a slope of approximately 45° and was not retained by any substantial brickwork. Evidence for the retention of the clay earthwork at the east end of the train was encountered in the form of a brick wall, the wide width of which may suggest that this too acted as a buttress.