Conduit with Retaining Wall and Pavement Steps

The conduit with retaining wall and pavement steps, located on the north side of Church Street in Modbury, was built in 1708 as part of the water supply system presented to the town by Nicholas Trist, the Lord of the Manor. Constructed from squared granite blocks, it is supported by rubble walls and features cast iron railings. The main conduit is positioned at the outer edge of the pavement and is topped with a heavy 19th-century rock-faced coping. Beneath this coping is a parabolic blind arch made of two stones, above which is a carved commemorative panel that reads: NICOLAUS TRIST/ARMIGER/HUIUSCE MUNICIPII/PRAEFECTUS Do.1708 in raised capital letters. The structure measures approximately 2 meters wide and up to 2.5 meters high, set against a steep street. To the left, a rubble retaining wall slopes down to street level and includes two stone steps with a simple railing in five bays. To the right, a similar retaining wall features two flights of five stone steps and a short run, also contained by a railing in five bays and a return. The water supply to the conduits was not cut off until the 1950s.