Monument record 2525/1/0 - Meadow Bank Mine and Saltworks

<1> Ashmore, O, 1982, The Industrial Archaeology of North West England, p.72 (Book). SCH3181.

The only rock-salt mine still open in Cheshire, worked by ICI. Mining started with two shafts in 1844 and continued until 1892. Re-opened by Salt Union in 1928 when the last Northwich mine closed: further shafts were bored 1940 and 1964. Workings at a depth of 500 ft (150m) over an area of 250 acres. Face undercut by machine, blasted and salt loaded into diesel dumper trucks and carried to primary crusher before being lifted up shaft by electric winding gear. Output mainly bought by local authorities for road clearing. In 1950s rail transport was still used underground. In old workings the roof was supported by leaving pillars of salt between 12-36 yards (11-33m) square, in later workings 18 x 6 yards (7.3 x 5.5m). There are still traces of the railway branch from the Cuddington-Over line (see 2522/1/0) and of a dock on the west side of the Weaver.

<2> Longley D, 1977-1978, Longley Archive, no.689 (Paper Archive). SCH2005.

<3> Compass Minerals, 2015, Winsford Rock Salt Mine: Its History, Workings and Production, p. 2-4 (Booklet-Leaflet). SCH7994.

Winsford Rock Salt Mine (or Meadow Bank Mine as it was originally known) officially opened in 1844 with the sinking of shafts 1 and 2. The 4ft square shafts were lined with timber and puddle clay and buckets were used to lower men and materials and for elevating the excavated rock. Shafts 1 and 2 were originally sunk to 65m (210ft) and then subsequently sunk to the current depth of 150m (500ft), which allowed for a better quality salt to be mined.

The rock salt was initially mined using black power explosives, hand picks and shovels, which was then transported in wooden barrels. Until the introduction of electricity to the mine during the 1930s, tallow candles were stuck to the rock and used to light the working face. Bundles of unused candles can still be found in the old workings of the mine. The mine uses the room and pillar method of mining, which involves leaving pillars of rock salt behind to support the roof. The ‘rooms’ that were left behind after mining had an average roof height of 8 metres and a width of 20 meters.

During the 19th Century, the extraction rate was high at 90% (compared to current day extraction rates of between 68% and 75%) and between 1844 and 1892, one million tonnes of rock salt were mined at Winsford.

During the late 19th century the salt industry descended into chaos due to over-capacity. In 1888, Salt Union, which consisted of 66 salt operators from the area, was formed in an attempt to bring order to the market. Despite this the mine was shut down in 1892. In 1928 the last mine in Northwich flooded, resulting in the re-opening of the Winsford mine. The mine now stretches 5km east to west and 3 km north to south.

The mine has always been serviced by vertical shafts. Shafts, 1 and 2, were installed in 1844 and continued to elevate the bulk of production, despite the sinking of 3 Shaft in 1941. Shafts 1 and 2 remained in use for nearly 130 years before being sealed in the 1970s.The original shafts were ultimately replaced by shafts 3, 4 and 5.

No 3 Shaft is circular in cross-section. The shaft was originally brick-lined but was later reinforced with a concrete lining. The diameter is 3.05 m (10ft) and the depth, including the sump, is 163m (550 ft) although the decking level is around 150 m (500 ft). It is currently used for personnel access but the original lift has been upgraded. The original comprised two double-deck cages operating in balance running on steel rail guides and driven by a single-drum, manually controlled winding engine. The lift was replaced in the 1970s by a fixed self-service lift, similar to a car park lift. It is unusual to find a fixed lift cage in a mine but the stability of the rock salt at Winsford allows this.

No 4 Shaft, installed in 1963, is the downcast shaft situated one mile away from 3 Shaft. The shaft is significantly larger, measuring 4.88m (16ft) in diameter, and has a concrete lining. The total depth of the shaft is 189m with the decking level situated at 183m. The lift consists of a cargo compartment (lower), measuring 7 metres in height, 2.4 metres in width and 4 metres in depth, with a personnel carrier (upper). The lift takes approximately five minutes to descend. It is the principal service shaft, by means of which the majority of underground equipment and materials are brought into the mine. All major mechanical items for use underground are dismantled into suitably sized components at the surface and placed into the cargo compartment. Once the equipment arrives at the base of 4 Shaft it is transported to the underground workshops for assembly.

No 5 Shaft, the last shaft to be installed, was completed in 1973. It is positioned approximately 100m north of No 3 Shaft. The shaft dimensions are similar to 4 Shaft - 4.88m (16ft) in diameter with a concrete lining and an overall depth of 164.5 m. 5 Shaft’s primary function is the elevation of the finished rock salt.

<4> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 315/2 c.1846 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

The map and award records three saltworks and one industrial building. All are in separate ownership and/or occupiers: Lord Delamere/Messers Faulk, John Davis, John Done and Co. and Anne Wade and Co. There are two sizable docks branching off the Weaver.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ6568 1875-1877 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

This map depicts a large complex of buildings adjacent to the river and the southern dock labelled Meadowbank Works (Salt). The saltworks are served by a numerous sidings which connect to the Winsford and Over Railway (CHER 2522/1/0). To the immediate west of the saltworks buildings are two groups of smaller buildings and a gasometer associated with shaft 1 and 2, as well as a brine shaft depicted on (*). To the immediate west, between the mine and works and Meadowbank House, are three brine cisterns. A series of ponds controlled by sluices are fed by a well c.150m to the west. A timber yard is located to the north of the complex and is associated with a small dock.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1909-1912, Ordnance Survey Second Revision County Series (Epoch 3) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ6568 1909 (Maps and Plans). SCH4361.

This map shows a sizable reduction in the number of buildings on the site. Two plants remain labelled Coronation Works and Vacuum Plant Works. Two of the brine shafts depicted on (*) is depicted.

<7> Huntings Surveys Ltd, 1971-1973, 1971-1973 County Survey (Aerial Photograph). SCH4881.

The complex has expanded to include the sites of the former Fulk's saltworks and Newbridge Rock-salt Mine. No. 5 shaft is located within this area. The southern dock is no longer extant.

<8> National Remote Sensing Centre Ltd, 1992-3, National Remote Sensing Centre County Survey (1992-1993) (Aerial Photograph). SCH5297.

The buildings associated with the Coronation saltworks have been demolished.

<9> Wharmby, P, 1987, Survey of Abandoned Salt Mine Workings and Brine Shafts in Cheshire, p.24 & 223 (Report). SCH7995.

Mining commenced in Winsford in 1844. two mines worked the equivalent of the Northwich Bottom beds prior to 1892 when the Meadowbank mine was abandoned in working order. After the flooding of the Adelaide mine in 1928 the Meadowbank mine was re-opened by the Salt Union and has worked continuously ever since. Includes a map depicting the extent of the workings and any associated mine shafts and brine shafts.

<10> Cremer and Warner Consulting Engineers, 1976, Cheshire Chemical and Allied Industries Survey, p.29 (Report). SCH7996.

This is the sole remaining salt mine in the United Kingdom the product of which is used almost exclusively for de-icing roads. Production is very variable, depending on the annual climatic conditions. There is also a small vacuum salt plant at Winsford.