Site Event/Activity record ECH6263 - Archaeological Strip and Map, Additional Evaluation and Watching Brief. Taylors Boatyard, Upper Cambrian Road, Chester

In August 2013 an archaeological strip & map excavation along with additional evaluation was carried out by Earthworks Archaeology on at the former Taylor’s Boatyard/Bluebird Garage, Upper Cambrian Road, Chester (centring on NGR SJ 3990 6690). The work was commissioned by Morris Homes Ltd. ahead of residential redevelopment of the site. The aim of the excavation was to record any surviving remains associated with 19th-century boatyard buildings located alongside the Shropshire Union Canal to the east. Additional evaluation trenches were excavated in order to characterise the extent, survival and date of any earlier archaeological deposits across the site ahead of a watching brief during construction works. The evaluation trenches demonstrated that no archaeology pre-dating the post-medieval period survived within the site. Post-medieval deposits (possibly associated with brick manufacture) were encountered along with the scant remains of brick foundations relating to several 19th century boatyard-related structures. Disappointingly little additional archaeological evidence was found during the watching brief maintained on intrusive groundworks between March and October 2015. This excercise confirmed that site clearance and demolition in recent times had resulted in the widespread removal of the former boatyard structures and no activity pre-dating the nineteenth century was observed. (1) Project Design, produced in 2008, for the programme of archaeological monitoring, excavation and publication for the re-development a Tower Wharf, Chester. (2)