Planning Case Study 35

An Environmental Statement was produced for the proposed Metrolink route (URS 2012). This included an assessment of the potential for a graveyard extending into Cross Street and the potential impacts of the proposed development.

A detailed desk based assessment and archaeological trial trenching in 2013 identified intact burial vaults under St Peters Church in St Peters Square, Manchester. Negotiations between archaeologists (including the archaeological planning adviser to Manchester City Council) and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) established that it would be possible and cost effective to protect the burial chambers in situ by putting concrete rafts over the vaults to support the weight of the new Metrolink platforms and rails.

Further along the route, on Cross Street, the archaeologists’ research and test trenching showed that a former part of the Cross Street Chapel graveyard had survived under a 19th century widening scheme for Cross Street, whereas the rest of the graveyard had been removed in the 1970s.

The site was the main centre of Unitarianism in Manchester from the late 17th century onwards and a chapel still exists there. TfGM dealt with the sensitive issues regarding the treatment of the remains according to best archaeological practice. This was achieved through the archaeology strategy which included where necessary the excavation of burials, which were respectfully re-buried at Southern Cemetery, and the preservation of some of the burials in situ through careful planning.

The archaeological work delayed the scheme and it can be argued that earlier evaluation and costing of exhumation would have helped. However, the scheme demonstrated the value of archaeologists working closely with project managers and engineers to reduce impact and preserve some of the human remains in situ at deeper levels at the former Cross Street Chapel and all of the human remains and vaults at St Peters’ Church.