Archaeological monitoring and recording was undertaken in September 2010 during groundworks for a temporary footbridge located adjacent to the extant road bridge across the River Colne, which is undergoing repair.<1> A mosaic floor (HER 8774) has been reported from behind the school at Chappel which would suggest the presence of a high status Roman dwelling. The Swann Inn dates to the 17th century and is located on the banks of the river by the road bridge. The origins of the road bridge and ford over the River Colne can be traced to the 1st edition OS (c.1870) but are however likely to be much earlier.
The groundworks comprised the removal, by mechanical excavator, of topsoil to a depth of 0.35m to 0.4m on both banks of the river, to the east of the current road bridge. The northern bank excavation partially revealed a heavily rooted made ground layer comprising gravelly silty sand containing modern ceramic tiles and glass shards. Two drain pipes were cut into this layer. The southern bank had clearly been cut into in the recent past, as a sand bag wall had been created in order to stabilise the bank. The excavation of topsoil revealed a gravelly made ground layer containing modern waste items, such as a crisp packet. No archaeological finds or features were identified as the excavation did not extend down to the archaeological horizon. The made ground layers on both banks and the sand bag wall on the south bank are evidence of modern alteration to the river banks.<1>