Monument record 15564 - Tramway Between the Trent and Mersey Canal and Mole Hollows

<1> Bryant, A., 1831, Map of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH2114.

This map depicts a ‘Rail Road’ (tramway) between the coal wharf adjacent to the junction of the Trent and Mersey Canal, and Macclesfield canals, and ‘Mole Hollows’ approximately two kilometres the North-east. The tramway follows the course of a small watercourse which marks the boundary between Cheshire and Staffordshire. It connects to another tramway to the east of Moss Farm, where the tramway crosses into Staffordshire. The tramway continues to the North-east crossing Cob Moor Road, where a spur of the tramway leads east for a short distance, before terminating at the road to Lawton Park (Staffordshire).

<2> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 110/2, 1839 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

This map depicts the section of the tramway located in Cheshire. North-east of the wharf (where there are a number of sidings) the tramway is depicted as a single track. Two passing loops are located where the northern of two tramways associated with a colliery located North of Liverpool Road (see CHER 15280). Further passing loops are located at SJ 8365 5503 and to the South-east of Moss Farm (SJ 8393 5551).

<3> See map for surveyor, 1836-1845, Staffordshire Tithe Maps and Awards, D3534/1/141, 1836-1845 (Maps and Plans). SCH9026.

This map depicts the junction between this tramway and the tramway from Grindlestone Edge House to Scholar Green (see CHER 15254/1). North of Cob Moor Road the tramway turns to the south-east before running to the collieries at Trubshaw (Staffordshire).

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ8354 & SJ8355, 1873-1888 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

The course of the tramway in Cheshire now runs through a colliery named Moss Coal Pit (see15279). To the north-east, the tramway is still labelled as such. The colliery is served by numerous railway lines and tramways. The railway lines connect with the North Staffordshire Railway to the south-west. The lines continue as tramways to the north-east of the colliery. However, there is no distinction on the mapping between the depiction of a tramway or a railway line, so the precise organisation of the tramways and railway lines within the colliery cannot be determined. Further tramways or rail lines connect the colliery with the Union Foundry to the south.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1896-1898, Ordnance Survey First Revision County Series (Epoch 2) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ8354 & SJ8355, 1898-1899 (Maps and Plans). SCH3848.

As previously depicted (see 4).

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1909-1912, Ordnance Survey Second Revision County Series (Epoch 3) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ8354 & SJ8355, 1909 (Maps and Plans). SCH4361.

Only the probable railway lines to the south-west of the former colliery are still extant.

<7> Environment Agency, 2003-2020, Environment Agency LiDAR Surveys, Composite 1m DTM (2020) (Digital Archive). SCH7819.

The tramway survives as a slight earthwork (embankment) to the west of Brieryhust Farm (Staffordshire) and as substantial embankment where the tramway crossed a watercourse near Grindlestone Edge House. Further slight earthworks survive between Grindlestone Edge House and the site of the former Moss Coal Pit.

<8> Historic England & Archaeological Research Services, 2015, Staffordshire National Mapping Programme and Lidar Mapping Project: Gnosall, Kidsgrove and Talke, 1593289 (Digital Archive). SCH9202.

A post medieval and twentieth century colliery and associated tramway are visible as earthworks and structures on air photographs centred at SJ 8389 5539. The tramway extends through the colliery site and historic mapping indicates the tramway was connected to further elements of tramway (UID 1592670), connecting the local collieries to the North Staffordshire Railway and the Macclesfield Canal. The former path of the tramway is in places now marked by the path of the modern road. The colliery is disused by the 3rd edition Ordnance Survey map [see 6], whilst the tramway remains at least partially in use serving the twentieth century colliery Maryhill Mine. The extent of the site was mapped during the Staffordshire National Mapping Programme Project. The majority of the site is no longer extant on the latest 2010 vertical photography [see 10]. Elements may survive under vegetation [see 6, 9 & 10].

<9> Royal Air Force, 1944-1947, 1940s RAF Aerial Photographs from Operation Review, RAF/CPE/UK/1935 FS 2419 & RP 3421 17/01/1947 (Aerial Photograph). SCH8041.

<10> Next Perspectives, 2010, Aerial Photography for Great Britain, Next Perspectives APGB Imagery (2010) (Aerial Photograph). SCH8173.