Source/Archive record SCH9041 - Tudor Road, Runcorn, Halton, Cheshire: Archaeological Evaluation and Watching Brief Report

Archaeological monitoring was undertaken in 2020-2021 at the site of a proposed new-build warehouse with associated ancillary works at Tudor Road, Runcorn, Cheshire (NGR: SJ 55033 83274). Due to the proximity of the proposed development to the site of Norton Priory and its associated medieval moated enclosures, and a possibility that it may have an impact on the northern part of the moated complex, a mitigation strategy was agreed comprising an evaluation trench and watching brief during groundworks. The evaluation trench was undertaken over five days, between 18th and 22nd May 2020, whilst the watching brief was undertaken over ten days, initially on 26th May 2020 and then between 2nd November 2020 and 6th January 2021. The evaluation trench, measuring 40m long and 2m wide, identified the moat at the very south-eastern end of the trench. The south-eastern extent of the feature could not be excavated due to the proximity of the southern boundary of the site, but the north-western 2.8m of the profile was visible within the trench, with the feature surviving to a depth of 1.89m. It contained five deposits, with some displaying evidence of waterlogging. There were no other archaeological features encountered within the evaluation trench. Following the evaluation, a watching brief was maintained during ground investigation test-pitting, and the excavation of foundation pads and drainage, including attenuation. Limited archaeological remains were encountered during these works, relating to possible evidence for the upper deposits of the moat within the south-west foundation pads and the western drainage route. There were no finds recovered from the fieldwork, though environmental samples were taken of the moat fills during the evaluation. Deposit 105 produced abundant well-preserved wood fragments and fruits/seeds, and common invertebrate remains. However, column samples taken from the excavated section of the moat did not produce sufficient pollen to warrant analysis. In summary, the moat deposits suggest that the feature had been left open for a period of time, with no evidence for recutting. The environmental samples from deposit 105 suggest that there was a period when organic remains were well-preserved in waterlogged conditions. The upper deposits of the feature, presumably dating to the post-medieval period, given the presence of brick rubble, suggest that the feature was levelled with redeposited natural material, as seen elsewhere in excavations across the moated system (University of Liverpool 2018). However, this did appear to leave a slight depression, which was filled by deposit 107, prior to the whole area being levelled again, bringing it to the modern surface of the site. This potentially occurred following the construction of the nearby Daresbury Expressway in the 1970s.