No archaeological features or finds were observed during a watching brief on groundworks for the road-line and sewers at Simon’s Lane, Magdalen Street (CBC planning application F/COL/00/1244). The manholes for the sewers were dug to a depth of between 1.6m and 2.2m and the drains were dug to a lesser depth, but it was not usually possible to see to the bottom of the trenches due to shoring. It was not possible to enter the trenches after they had been dug. The road was dug to 8m width. Between 400mm and 800mm was stripped off the existing ground-level. The foundations for the houses were not monitored due to the absence of finds on previously monitored areas of the site. The site’s previous use as a coal yard and scrap yard had caused serious ground disturbance, and a large amount of modern rubbish was encountered in the top layers. <1>