Cronton Colliery, Knowsley, Merseyside. Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment & Visual Inspection.

An archaeological assessment of the former Cronton Colliery site, Merseyside, was carried out during September 2003 by Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) on behalf of Sinclair Knight Merz. The archaeological work was required as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment for the Planning Application proposals in the redevelopment of the area (centred on SJ 475895). The work comprised a desk-based
assessment and a visual inspection survey of the site, as requested by the Merseyside Archaeological Service.
The assessment has identified evidence for considerable archaeological activity within the region dating back to the prehistoric period, although only remains of the medieval
and later periods are known from existing documentary sources. The study area lieswithin the bounds of a former large medieval park estate. Excavations carried out in
1993 to the south of the outlined proposed development area found evidence of Mesolithic activity along Ochre Brook, together with Romano-British and medieval settlement suggesting the area has a long history of human habitation.
Since 1913, however, the study area has been dedicated to coal extraction