Monument record 10626 - Post Medieval Wall, Surface and Levelling Layer, Nicholas Street

A wall and an earlier levelling or ground preparation layer were identified during a watching brief within the road perpendicular to the Law Courts car park on Nicholas St. between 2009 and 2012 (1). The investigations were carried out during the installation of gas pipelines and involved a large number of trenches across the city. In Trench 126, the wall (Context 1093) was constructed of unfrogged bricks, with sand and lime mortar, with a surface of irregular sized sandstone blocks abutting the bricks.

This structure was laid over a well-mixed horizon of sediment, small sandstone fragments and charcoal (Context 1091), which appeared to have been an intentionally laid deposit prior to the construction of the structure to form a solid foundation. Historical mapping show buildings fronting Nicholas St. from the sixteenth century, and it is possible this is one of those structures. No finds were recovered from these deposits (1).

<1> Balfour Beatty, 2012, Chester City Centre, Cheshire Gas Improvement Works (Client Report). SCH6784.