Excavation by R J Poulton for SCAU and SCC (County Engineer's Department) in advance of the construction of the relief road showed that post-medieval evidence had been removed by the construction of a car park. Evidence of medieval occupation survived, including various 12th/13th century pits apparently indicating the first settlement in this part of the town, although late Saxon pottery was also discovered and must indicate nearby occupation. (257; report in SyAC 85, 177-186)