Site Event/Activity record ECH6397 - New Drainage Works in Frodsham Street, Chester: An Archaeological Watching Brief

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken between August 2016 and February 2017 during groundworks associated with the installation of new drainage facilities within the highway of Frodsham Street, Chester (centring on NGR SJ 40758 66397). Frodsham Street lies within an area of high archaeological potential and close to the east arm of the defences to the Roman legionary fortress of Deva and, later, the Medieval City. Initial groundworks, comprising excavation of a stretch of new drainage trench from the south end of Frodsham Street northwards, was closely monitored. Following this, intermittent monitoring was continued until the depth of intrusion no longer became a threat to any significant below ground archaeological deposits; once this point was reached monitoring of the trench was terminated. Towards the south end of the new drainage trench, a stone surface interpreted as that of the Roman legionary parade ground was encountered. This surface was sealed by deposits dated to the 2nd century which, later still, were sealed beneath the floor to a structure of indeterminate function and extent but dated to the later Roman period. At the extreme south end of the new drainage trench, a number of basement structures were encountered. These basements once served buildings located on the west side of Frodsham Street but were abandoned and backfilled when the buildings were demolished prior to widening of the street during the 20th century. (1)