Mersey Valley Sludge, Radcliffe, Greater Manchester. Rapid Desk-Based Research and Watching Brief.

United Utilities has proposed the construction of a new pipeline at Radcliffe, Bury (SD 7910 0725 to 8010 0769). As the scheme affects areas of archaeological potential
dating from the prehistoric and historic periods, the Assistant County Archaeologist at Greater Manchester Archaeological Unit Sites and Monuments Record (GMAUSMR)
recommended that rapid desk-based research and permanent presence watching brief should be undertaken for previously undisturbed sections of the pipeline, and for areas where remains of archaeological interest are known to exist.
The rapid desk-based research was undertaken by OA North in February 2007. A total of 31 sites were identified within the study area through inspection of the GMAUSMR
and other primary sources. Watching briefs associated with ground preparation were undertaken in June, July, September and October 2007.
The only sites of archaeological interest observed during the watching briefs comprised water management features, such as culverts, in the environs of the East Lancashire
Paper Mill (Site 14), stone-sett road surfacing, at Church Street East and Mill Town Street, a roughly surfaced modern trackway to the south of Radcliffe Tower (Site 3),
and make-up deposits of soil, rubble, and fuel waste, which occurred regularly within the pipe trenches.