Monument record 446/1 - Roman road between Wilderspool and Manchester

Supposed Roman road from Wilderspool to Manchester. A Roman road ran eastwards from Wilderspool along Stoney Street to Statham, Lymm, Dunham, & Stretford(1). The Roman finds at Lumb brook may indicate this route. From there it may have followed a road called Pepper Street near Appleton thorn. This road runs for c.150yds in a direct line SSW to NNE pointing dirctly to Stretford from which place there was a certain Roman road to Manchester(2). A minor road left Widerspool on the east & a short distance from it is called Stony Street & Pepper Street to Lymm. Beyond Lymm it is called Warrington lane for some miles & it eventually joins the line of the road from Manchester to Northwich(3). Local informants attest to the presence of a former causeway which led from near the old Latchford turnpike to Wilderspool(4). No evidence for an eastern road other than the 'dog-leg' in RR 70b to reach the ford(5)(6). 'Stony Street' not identified (7). 1857 - Water pipe trenches cut across the field next to the brook at Wilderspool. Dr Robson thought he observed the Roman road, 6-8ft deep & below the level of the river bed(4).

<1> Kendrick J, 1872, Guide Book to Roman Remains from Wilderspool in Warrington Museum (Book). SCH1323.

<2> Beamont W, 1876, An Account of the Roman Station at Wilderspool, /21 (Book). SCH234.

<3> Thompson, F.H., 1964, A History of Cheshire. Volume Two: Roman Cheshire, /67-8 1886 (Book). SCH2862.

<4> Beamont W, 1889, A History of Latchford, /12+15 (Book). SCH71.

<5> 1956, OS Map of Roman Britain, 1956 (Maps and Plans). SCH2485.

<6> Margary, I. D., 1973, Roman Roads in Britain, 2/ 1957 (Book). SCH2903.

<7> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ68NW58/1961 (Index). SCH2487.