Three machine trenches were dug as an evaluation of disused allotments which were to be redeveloped as a car park, on the north side of the railway, for Colchester North Railway Station. The first (easternmost) trench (1) was 32.5m long and reached a depth of 0.75m at its north end and 1.45m at the south end. Nothing of archaeological significance was noted. The second (central) trench 2 was 50m long, and reached depths of 0.6m to 0.7m with a probe down to 1.15m at its south end. A possible fragment of post-medieval kiln furniture was found at the southern end of the trench. The third (westernmost) trench 3 was 62.5m long and reached a depth of 0.65m with a probe to 1m at its south end. Part of a shallow pit (at least 1.5m wide) was uncovered which could not be dated precisely but may have been of relatively early date (based on the nature of its fill and stratigraphic relationships).<1>

No further archaeological investigation appears to have taken place in advance of the construction of the carpark, although the evaluation report recommended the need for further trial-trenched evaluation given the low (2%) sample of the initial work.