During excavations at Balkerne Lane between 1973-6 (ECC332), a Roman timber-lined drain was discovered situated along the south side of the main Colchester to London street (MCC475). The drain served to replace an earlier drain in the same location (see MCC630).

The principal element was a timber-lined drain which was 0.4m deep but contained no nails. At its easternmost point the drain took the form of a shallow ditch which was irregular in shape. This in turn continued in its final form as a substantial ditch (see MCC633) which probably led directly into the town ditch (see MCC659). The backfill of the drain contained large quantities of pottery dated to c.AD 150-325 and many coins the latest being AD 260-8.<1>