Archaeological Watching Brief at Chorley Road, Wingates Industrial Estate, Westhoughton

The primary focus of the watching brief was to investigate for a potential Roman road as identified in the desk-based assessment (TEP 2018). A proposed route from Manchester to Blackrod is suggested to run along the line of the modern A6. Additionally, the watching brief was intended to, where possible, record the profile of any hedgerows removed as part of the works. The area of the proposed road diversion was mechanically stripped and hedges were removed. No features or artefacts of archaeological significance were encountered during the watching brief. Two slots were excavated through the ditches associated with the hedgerows, which revealed that they were cut through the topsoil and were likely of 19th-century origin.