Remains of colliery found on Darcy Lever housing development site

The discovery was made during archaeological investigations at land north of Radcliffe Road, where housing is planned by Westchurch Homes.

The work was carried out after planners required an assessment of any surviving remains linked to the former Moss Lane Colliery, which operated on the site between 1927 and 1935.

(Image: Bolton Council)

Excavations revealed the brick foundations of a boiler house that once powered operations at the pit, established by Samuel Scowcroft & Sons during the final decades of coal mining in the area.

Archaeologists from Civic Heritage initially opened two trial trenches targeting buildings shown on historic maps.

While one trench revealed little more than a gravel surface and drainage feature, the second uncovered part of a substantial brick structure.

Drone image superimposed with extent of Trench 1 (left) and Trench 2 (right) (Image: Bolton Council)

The excavation area was subsequently expanded, exposing the full extent of what was identified as the colliery’s boiler house.

In their report, archaeologists said: “The single boiler house recorded at Darcy Lever represents a valuable example of a relatively late structure dating to the first half of the 20th century.”

The building measured around 11 metres long and 3.7 metres wide and was designed to house a Lancashire boiler – a type commonly used to generate steam for industrial processes.

Opening to entrance compartment within north side of west wall 219, looking west (Image: Bolton Council)

Researchers believe the boiler powered electrical motors used to operate equipment including coal screens, picking belts and ventilation systems at the mine.

Detail of boiler seating block on south side of central boiler flue (Image: Bolton Council)

The remains included firebrick-lined flues, boiler seating blocks, brick flooring and evidence of a chimney structure.

Several bricks bore the stamp “Taylor Brookfield Bolton”, linking the site to the former Brookfield Brickworks in Tonge Fold.

Taylor Brookfield Bolton stamped brick, retrieved from curvilinear brick feature 202 (Image: Bolton Council)

Among the finds recovered from demolition debris were fragments of refractory brickwork, a possible coal shovel head and a metal fork believed to have been associated with the boiler’s operation.

Coal shovel and metal fork retrieved from demolition backfill 203 in central flue of boiler house (Image: Bolton Council)

A watching brief was also maintained around the former mine shafts, where archaeologists recorded part of a brick-lined shaft measuring almost three metres in diameter.

The report highlights the significance of the discovery, noting: “The short lifespan of the colliery, operational from 1927 to 1935, means the structural remains uncovered provide an accurate snapshot of the plant as it existed during this period.”

Truncated chimney area 207 at eastern end of boiler house, looking north-west (Image: Bolton Council)

Archaeologists concluded that the remains are of particular interest because the colliery operated for less than a decade before closing in 1935.

They added: “The single Lancashire boiler house recorded at Darcy Lever represents a valuable example of a relatively late boiler house from the first half of the 20th century, purpose built to power electrical motors on a colliery site.”

The findings are expected to contribute to research into the development of power production and industrial technology in the North West during the early 20th century.