Site Event/Activity record ECH6897 - Northgate Redevelopment Off-Site Drainage Route, Chester: Archaeological Watching Brief Report

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken in 2020 during the excavation of several cruciform trenches, as part of the off-site drainage, for a multi-use development of Chester Northgate (SJ 40245 66482 to SJ 40487 65627). Initially, it was proposed that 14 cruciform trenches be excavated along St Martin’s Way, Nicholas Street, Grosvenor Road and Castle Drive, although in the event only 11 proved necessary, along with three smaller test-pits. The main objective of the watching brief was to identify, expose, and record any archaeological remains which were encountered during the trenching in order to understand further the level of preservation of archaeological remains and assist with providing further information so that a mitigation strategy can be developed. Trenches 3, 4 and 6 contained significant archaeological remains, whilst Trenches 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 9A and 10, and Test-pits 1, 2 and 3, contained only recent demolition and levelling deposits, along with modern services. Trench 6 was found to contain the foundations of a Roman wall with an associated clay floor. It is possible that these relate to a mansio, which is thought to have existed to the south of the Roman legionary fortress. In addition, Trench 6 contained the remains of a nineteenth-century wall, which would have formed the boundary of the military hospital situated in this in this part of the city, and also the surface of a tramway. Trenches 3 and 4 contained the remains of walls, which probably dated to the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries respectively. The remaining trenches and test-pits (Trenches 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 9A and 10 and Test-pits 1, 2 and 3) contained levelling deposits, which may seal significant archaeological remains at a greater depth than that excavated in the test-pits. It is equally possible that archaeological remains survive in the areas between those examined. (1) Post excavation analysis for the full scheme of mitigation undertaken as part of the Phase 1 re-development. (2)