Two small evaluation trenches were excavated by Colchester Archaeological Trust at a site along the north side of Eld Lane between Victoria Place and Long Wyre Street. The site was due to be re-developed as a new shop unit. Two small trenches were excavated by machine, the location of which was determined by the availability of areas free of obstacles or hard surfaces. The first trench was located just to the north of the central area and provided the main stratigraphic sequence. It was made sufficiently wide to allow safe entry and detailed recording of the section face. A second trench was placed towards the south-west corner of the site but could not be entered and deposits were recorded from surface inspection only. The two trenches revealed Roman deposits including a tile built drain or wall, surviving from approximately 1m below the modern ground surface. Trench 1 also revealed post-medieval pits cutting into and directly sealing the Roman deposits. The undisturbed Roman levels in this trench were comprised of demolition debris, through which the tile wall or drain had been inserted. The deposits in trench 2 had also been disturbed by post-medieval pit cutting although to a lesser degree. Clear Roman levels survived at a depth of 1.7-1.8m below modern ground surface. These were also cut by the Roman tile drain or wall. It was felt by the excavator that construction work (ground beams and pile caps) could proceed within the top metre of site strata without further archaeological work being necessary.<1><2>