Monument record 1700/1/16 - Roman Road - Eccleston (Chester to Wroxeter Route 6a)

<1> Chester Archaeological Society, Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society, Petch D 1975 58/15-39 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1595.

Excavvationn on line of Watling Street Roman road,Eccleston,where it was due to be destroyed by roadworks for Chester Bypass.E edge of road located. Surface of gravel & small cobbles set in clay & laid directly on natural clay.Metalling sealed Roman pottery showed road was prob constructed late Flavian period.No evidence that road was placed on an agger,earthwork previously identified as such having no connection with road.No sign of kerb. Width of road prob exceeded 15ft.Indication of heavy wear resulting in uneven surface & rutting.Poss damage caused in post-Roman period.To E of road lay a ditch.Evidence suggests successive ditches dug parallel to Roman road,at distance from 5ft to 8ft 6ins

<2> Chester Archaeological Society, Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society, Mason D 1976 59/24-30 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1595.

Section of road extended 1975 revealing full width to be c.13m.Excessive width poss caused by patchings & re- surfacings;road may have branched into 2 routes at this point,or been deliberately widened for access to rectangular blg to W (RN:1971)

<3> County Historic Environment Record, 1973-1985, Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin, 1/14-15 Petch D F 1973 (Journal/Periodical). SCH565.

<4> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, 1/217+232 1987 (Book). SCH3556.

<5> Longley D, 1977-1978, Longley Archive, /no.546 (Paper Archive). SCH2005.