A58 Blackbrook Diversion, St Helens, Merseyside. Archaeological Evaluation and Excavation Assessment Report.

This assessment report presents the results of a programme of archaeological investigations undertaken in advance of the construction of the proposed A58 Blackbrook Diversion, St Helens (SJ 5346 9655 – 5437 9749). The development is being undertaken by Birse Limited, and involves substantial earth-moving works that will have an impact on the subsurface archaeological resource.
Following on from the results of a desk-based assessment of the development area (OA North 2002), which revealed potential for industrial period remains, a programme of
archaeological evaluation trenching was implemented in 2004, undertaken by Oxford Archaeology North (OA North 2004), to assess the nature, extent, character and date of
buried remains within the study area. This entailed the excavation of 48 evaluation trenches and revealed considerable evidence of industrial activity along the proposed route, represented by a number of sites and the widespread dumping of waste material associated with the industrial processes undertaken in the area. The south-western section of the route, however, could not be evaluated in 2004 because of restricted access at that time. More recently, a compulsory purchase order was issued upon the owner, which has enabled the completion of the remaining archaeological trenches as part of the present programme of
investigation, and a further 16 trenches were excavated to evaluate this area and in advance of a series of proposed balancing ponds, along the south-east side of the proposed road; the work was undertaken by OA North in March 2006.