A watching brief was maintained during the construction of the northern extension to the inner relief road from Middleborough roundabout to North Station Road. The roads construction was observed at various points along its route, the most important section being the part of the work linked to the diversion of the River Colne under the new road. A new river channel was dug to direct the Colne slightly further south than its existing course. This required the excavation of a deep pit for two tunnels. During these excavations workmen noted an area of extensively burnt soil on the south bank of the river. Later finds of pre-Flavian pottery within the lowest silts of the river suggested the presence of a kiln. The sections of the tunnel pit provided much information about previous courses of the river and character of the various silts. Those attributable to the Roman period were of sand and gravel with some silt. The lowest of these layers contained the pottery included wasters and under fired sherds which were probably associated with a kiln. Examination of the river silts revealed that the base of the river in 1979 was 2.5 m higher than in pre-Flavian times and the rivers course was situated 25 to 50 m further south. Between the Middleborough and Cowdray Avenue roundabouts the road was built on an artificial mound. None of the contractors trenches penetrated the original gravel surface so that in situ remains were left undisturbed. The old river channel was dug out by machine but nothing was seen in the spoil. The area south of Essex Hall Road was lowered by machine over an area 50 x 25 metres. The lowest point reached was 1.5 m below the modern ground level but no archaeological features were observed. The area of a demolished house on the corner of Essex Hall Road and North Station Road was also inspected but there were no useful trenches open<1>