Site Event/Activity record ECH4290 - Chester Old Dee Bridge 1999: Watching Brief on Engineering Works

The bridge is a fourteenth century structure which has been repaired and altered since. In each of the trial pits an earlier surface was identified, comprising compacted sand. This is considered to date from the late eighteenth century following the removal of the gate tower at the southern end in 1781. The finds from arch 7 confirm this date. An earlier surface of cobbles was located in arch 5. This may be the original medieval road surface. In arch 7 there was evidence for further repair work, probably coinciding with the demolition of the gate tower in 1781. Material from the fill may have been derived from a reconstruction of the arch in 1499-1500.