Watching briefs were carried out on the excavation of a cable trench. The full extent of the trench was from the junction of the Great North Road and Kelham Road to the telephone exchange in Lombard Street, however, observations were limited to [stretches of trench at] Beast Market Hill, Castle Gate (N end) and Castle Gate / Lombard Street junction. … the trench was c0.6m wide and 1.2 to 1.6m deep. [at] Beast Market Hill modern road make up lay directly upon natural Mercia Mudstone. [At] Castle Gate / Lombard Street junction, observations included [the] trench [for] 20m and [also] a large rectangular pit, c.3x2m and 1.5m deep. (1) Grid ref for NW extent of observed trench, at Beast Market Hill. See E9210 for similar watching brief.