Quay Cellars Wall Strengthening

Type: Repairs and Strengthening Location: Exeter Quayside

Exeter City Council oversaw the repair and stabilisation works to a high-profile 105-metre stretch of cliff faced with historic brick and stone above Exeter Quayside. This was located on the city centre side of the River Exe, above the Quay Cellar shops. Simon Bastone Associates Ltd were instructed as consultants for the civil & structural design and the remedial works.

The work was completed in Summer 2024 and has been a key engineering project to improve and preserve the local historic infrastructure of Exeter. This was of great importance in terms of safety to the public.

SBA provided engineering support to the team involved in undertaking a safety audit, schedule of repairs and strengthening to the wall and cellars.

SBA organised a bore hole survey to establish loads imposed on the wall from the upper level of ground. We carried out internal surveys of the brick arch cellars behind the wall and assessed their stability recommending remedial repairs where necessary to ensure long term stability.

Work commenced in February 2024 and progressed well. The original programme had to be extended following the discovery of a large void behind an unsupported section of masonry near the top of the wall. This required additional structural design and construction work to ensure it will be safe and secure into the future.

Being part of protecting the longevity of the heritage quay cellars wall was an important task and one that we were glad to be a contributor to, ensuring the preservation of an important part of Exeter’s lucrative history.

SBA worked with a number of ECC staff who were key to the successful progression of the project. All works and proposals were submitted to the Heritage Planning department, to ensure that the brick restoration was appropriate and as close to the original as possible.