Monument record 844/1/9 - Roman Road - Watling Street, Oakmere (Chester - Manchester Route 7a)

Roman road. Course visible in 1885 in the 'NE corner of the big field belonging to Organsdale Farm'. A rough mound of red sandstone, over 200 ft long, 80 or 90 ft wide and 12-15 ft high, outcrops onto the surface. The road course has been excavated through this, up to a width of 36 ft. Up the centre of the rock, a track has been hewn out c.6 ft 3 ins wide, with higher platforms each side, 8-10 ft wide. Before leaving the large ploughed field, the road changes angle and the agger is here raised and measures 40 ft wide (1). At SJ 54956894 is a cutting through the sandstone outcrop with wheel ruts. Whether these were deliberately cut or are the result of wear is unresolved, but the latter is more probable as the road continued in use after the Roman period (2).

<1> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, vol.3 p.111-133 Kirk E 1885 'Roman Roads in Delamere Forest and neighbourhood' (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

<2> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 83/165 Waddelove A C & E 1985 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

<3> Margary, I. D., 1973, Roman Roads in Britain, /301 1973 (Book). SCH2903.

<4> Thompson Watkin W. T., 1886, Roman Cheshire: A Description of Roman Remains in the County of Chester, /36-39 (Book). SCH2878.

<5> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 3/70 Robson J 1850 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.