St Michaels On Wyre Rising Main, Lancashire. Desk-Based Assessment and Walkover Survey.

Following a proposal by United Utilities to construct a new rising main between Churchtown (SD 47818 42840) and St Michael’s on Wyre (SD 45260 41328) the Specialist Advisor (Archaeology) recommended a programme of archaeological work.
This was to comprise a desk-based assessment and rapid identification walkover survey of an area around the proposed development, in order to assess the likely impact on any remains of archaeological significance.
St Michael’s on Wyre is a short distance to the south-west of Garstang and the A6, and, as the name suggests, is situated on the north bank of the River Wyre. The two
main settlements within the study area, St Michael’s and Churchtown are known to be of medieval origin, but there are earlier remains from the general area including
prehistoric artefacts, which suggest that it has been settled for some time. There are no known sites of Roman or early medieval date within the study area, but there are forts, roads and the occasional find spot from the general locality, which suggest there was a Roman presence and place-names indicate Norse settlement in the region. During the post-medieval period the area was rapidly improved and large areas of former moss reclaimed for agriculture.