An archaeological watching brief has been completed during initial ground disturbance in relation to the construction of the Averham Relief Road, 4km to the east of Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire. The site is situated on the river gravels on the western bank of the River Trent, which support a typical brown sandy soil. Previously known archaeological features consisted of a series of cropmarks fronting onto Staythorpe Road, thought to be medieval or post-medieval croftings, and two linear, parallel cropmarks within the central part of the site. The archaeological watching brief was carried out on the site during the topsoil stripping and excavation of dykes on either side of the road. None of the previously known features were identified during the watching brief, though a number of other linear features were found to survive within the affected area. It was found that these could be related to the linear cropmarks, indicating the presence of a field system or enclosures within the area. The precise nature of the system of ditches could not be determined because of the nature of the development, with only a narrow area of interest within the road corridor.