Massive quayside wall works completed by Exeter waterside

Crucial work to strengthen a high-profile wall on Exeter’s quayside are now complete, the City Council has announced.

The local authority carried out repairs and stabilisation to a 105-metre stretch of cliff face wall above Exeter Quay on the city centre side of the River Exe.

The cellars below the wall were once used by smugglers many years ago with an underground route connecting to the basements of properties in nearby Colleton Crescent. Today the cellars provide a home to a number of quirky and interesting businesses serving tourists and visitors to the quayside.

Those businesses are now celebrating the end of the works, which began in late February. Initially the works were due to take 11 weeks but this was extended after the discovery of a large void behind an unsupported section near the top of the wall. All work is now complete and the scaffolding has been removed.

Cllr Ruth Williams, Lead Councillor for City Management, said the work was necessary to maintain the structural integrity of the cliff and quayside.

“This was a significant project and included masonry repairs, structural reinforcement, the installation of ‘anchors’ and replacement of rock-fall netting.

“I’m delighted that the works are now complete and the wall has been successfully strengthened.

“I would like to thank all members of staff and contractors for their hard work and dedication for what has been a difficult and challenging project. These things are never easy and I’d like to thank all the traders and local people for their patience and understanding whilst the work was taking place.”

Heather Baker, of Saddles and Paddles, located on the quayside, said: “It’s fantastic to see money invested to protect these historic cellar units and despite the disruption, the team carrying out the works were accommodating, friendly and helpful at all times and did their utmost to minimise interruption to our operations wherever possible.”