A trial-trenched evaluation was carried out by Colchester Archaeological Trust in April 1998 to investigate the archaeological implications of proposed redevelopment at 157A - 167 North Station Road. Four 1.8 metre wide trenches were progressively excavated by machine to depths of between 0.8 m and 2.3 m. The first trench was 32 metres long and was dug to depths ranging between 0.8 m at the southern end to 1.1 metres at the northern end. Three pits and an area of burnt clay were revealed in this trench. The second trench was 7.5 metres long and extended west from the north end of the first trench and the third trench was 4.4 m long, near the north-west corner of the site and excavated to a depth of 2.3 metres. Neither trench revealed any features. The fourth trench was 15m long, situated in the central area of the site and excavated to depths of between 1.25m at the eastern end and 1.4m at the western end. The trench revealed a pit. The overall site stratigraphy was characterised by very mixed post-medieval to modern deposits of make-up and levelling which lies directly over naturally occurring sediments and clays. The three pits all contained similar fills including 18th century or later brick and appear to have been associated. <1>