Tudor Road, Runcorn, Halton, Cheshire Archaeological Evaluation and Watching Brief Report

Oxford Archaeology (OA) North was commissioned by The Environment
Partnership (TEP) to undertake a trial-trench evaluation and watching brief at
the site of a proposed new-build warehouse for use classes B1, B2 and B8 with
associated ancillary works at Tudor Road, Runcorn, Cheshire (NGR: SJ 55033
83274). The work was undertaken as a condition of Planning Permission
(planning ref. 19/00200/FUL).
Due to the proximity of the proposed development to the site of Norton Priory
and its associated medieval moated enclosures, Cheshire Archaeology
Planning Advisory Service (APAS) advised that the proposed development may
have an impact on the northern part of the moated complex. As such, TEP
developed a mitigation strategy comprising an evaluation trench and watching
brief during any groundworks, which was subsequently approved by APAS. 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 moat 102
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, deposit 105 in
particular. 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.