Site Event/Activity record ECH6605 - 25 - 27 Bridge Street, Chester. Observation of Emergency Repair to Electricty Supply Works

Visit by M Leah on 11 September 2018 to examine excavation by Scottish power immediately in front of the frontage to Number 27 (southern element of French Connection shop) to repair electricity infrastructure (SJ40544 66212). Numbers 25 to 27 are Grade II Listed and are described as two brick-built 19th-centurty undercrofts underlying Numbers 29 to 31 Bridge Street Row. The excavations had broken through the concrete beam roof of a chamber extending along the front of Number 27 and out into Bridge Street for c 1.5m. It contains modern electrical infrastructure and may very well be a wholly modern intrusion (an electrical ‘junction box’) as the roof was certainly of concrete beams and the northern, western, and southern walls appeared to be concrete. The western limits were marked by the foundations of Number 27 and consisted of sandstone blocks (see photos in Folder on S Drive) and the full depth was not seen as the chamber was covered with plywood to protect the electrical equipment. There was no access to the shop but the contractors thought there was an cellar underneath Number 27 although this is not entirely certain. Mixed deposits apparent to the south of the southern limits of the ‘junction box’.