Observations were made by Colchester Archaeological Trust during and after groundworks for the construction of three blocks of flats on the corner of Fairfax Road and Lucas Road, Colchester (CBC planning application COL/00/1072). The size of the area excavated for the first block was 22.5m x 12.1m (Block 1). The size of the second block was 18m x 5m (Block 2) and the size of the third block was 23m x 9m (Block 3). The width of the foundations was usually 450mm; however, due to collapsing trench sides, some larger areas were dug out. The foundation depths were between 1m and 1.2m. The ground-level had already been previously reduced to between 200mm and 500mm below the road level. Drains were dug between 400mm and 800mm wide and between 400mm and 1m deep. All excavations were carried out by the contractors using a machine with a toothed ditching bucket. No finds or features of archaeological interest were observed.<1>