Repair work to a sea wall at Mount Batten has been completed.

A large hole in the sea wall has been repaired, and the South West Coast Path can once again open in this area to walkers.

The pathway between the Mount Batten ferry terminal and the Mount Batten North slipway had been closed off due to the collapse of the sea wall below.

A void had appeared – measuring around four metres wide, more than two metres high and two metres deep – and detailed surveys had to be carried out to assess the damage and see what repairs were needed.

The work started in September and involved shifting some 80 tonnes of masonry. Some was still in place but had become dislodged and some stones had been strewn over the beach by sea action. These were recovered and re-used in the repair so that the Council did not have to import new stone.


Around 175 tonnes of concrete were also used to underpin the structure and fil the foundations. An edge beam was recast and the top slab of concrete replaced.

Time, tide and the all-important weather forecast had to be taken into account while the work was carried out. Concrete pours were timed to coincide with favourable tide conditions to ensure the concrete set before the pour became submerged in sea water.

Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities said: "It's not glamorous work but it is important. We are lucky enough to have a fabulous coastline in our city and it’s an endless task battling against time and tide to keep them maintained. I am sure the people who walk this route regularly will be pleased to see the job finished."

The project was carried out by JW Baron Coastworks Ltd, JNE and Peter Grills, High Tech Services Ltd.