Deep rock cutting into the northern hillside in a very narrow and steep part of the Dee Valley, the spoil from the cutting was thrown to the south to embank the canal formation above the River Dee and a high stone retaining wall was built on the riverside. The north Chain Bridge abutment was set into this wall and a quay was established on the retaining wall and by the mid nineteenth century the Chain Bridge Hotel was built on the western part of land created.

Stephen R. Hughes, RCAHMW, 29 May 2007.