A trial-trenched evaluation was carried out by Colchester Archaeological Trust in 2001, comprising 25 trenches (covering a total area of 3,400 square metres) along the proposed course of the Northern Approach Road. This formed part of the environmental assessment for land affected by the proposed route for Phase 3 of Colchester’s Northern Approach Road. <1> Generally, cultivated topsoils were found to lie directly on natural subsoils, with no intervening deposits in evidence. (Possible) Archaeological remains were defined in Trenches 1, 5, 10, 13, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 26, and 27. Very few datable finds were recovered and the few dateable features were either post-medieval or modern. Fifteen small pits with charcoal-rich fills were uncovered, three of which produced evidence from in situ burning or the deposition of hot embers into the pit, indicated by the red discolouration around their sides. These pits could not be dated securely as none contained dating evidence. The trial-trenching followed a desk-based assessment by Colchester Archaeological Trust (CAT Report 55). <2>