Watching brief Eastgate, Hexham (OASIS ID: gerrymar1-175289)

A watching brief was maintained by Gerry Martin Associates along Eastgate, Hexham, between 15 January and 4 February 2014 for RSK Environment Ltd on behalf of Northern Gas Networks during the replacement of an existing gas main. The trench measured a total length of 150m by 0.4m width and a series of nine locations were monitored where, slightly larger than the trench itself, the new main started and finished, as well as connected to individual properties. This work partly revealed a late post-medieval stone cellar at the southern end of the street and a series of culverts - one probably connected to the Skinners Burn. The road itself appears to have been established and maintained since the medieval period, though the previous gas main had led to previous backfilling. The make-up for the pavement and road was composed of stone setts and rubble, with a further modern tarmac surface, approximately 0.32m in thickness.