Observations were made by Colchester Archaeological Trust during levelling, drainage and associated fencing work to create a formal garden and seating area outside the ranger station for public access. The first phase of the work involved the excavation of a French drain and the reduction and levelling of ground to the east of the ranger station between it and some workshops further east. The second phase required the monitoring of fencing designed to separate the public from the nursery yard. The excavation of post-holes for the fencing was carried out through a thin layer of rough patchy tarmac into modern topsoil. The depth of the excavation carried out in all instances was highly limited. Maximum depth for the drainage was 400mm, and for the post-holes 600mm. Levelling reduction was limited to between 400mm on the east edge of the site and 30mm on the west. None of the groundworks impacted upon archaeological remains, which previous investigations have indicated lie at a depth of approximately 1m below ground surface. Modern material was observed during the excavation. <1>