Throughout the £1.25 million project, specialist main contractors Concrete Repairs Limited (CRL) has sought to minimise disruption to residents and motorists, as well as adjacent shops and businesses located immediately below the car park. The initiative worked perfectly and has proven that, when methodically planned, such refurbishments projects can be accomplished with very little commotion to the every day pursuits of the local populous.

To overcome the problem of noise from plant and machinery, work was programmed for just two days per week. Local businesses were issued with a weekly or fortnightly newsletter in order to keep them updated regarding progress and to advise where and when specific locations would be worked on. Local businesses were invited to a pre-arranged meeting and advised of the schedule of works. To assist shoppers, works were phased to provide as many parking spaces as possible and this strategy ensured minimal loss of trade for local businesses.

The initiatives were instigated in spite of the fact that the contractor was required to carry out multi-disciplined tasks on the four-deck, 1970s-built structure, which is managed by Exeter City Council.

Work included removal of 5,600 square metres of asphalt surfacing, followed by the installation of a long-life waterproofing membrane, new colour demarcated parking spaces, pedestrian walkways, direction arrows and line markings. 6,000 square metres of soffit, stairwells and other concrete surfaces were repaired and protected with anti-carbonation coatings. Perimeter metal ‘touch’ posts and crash barriers were removed and replaced with more than 400 metres of continuous crash barrier and an anti-climb system. The old lighting system was removed and replaced throughout and a brand new CCTV system installed to provide enhanced security. Finally, to assist supervision of the car park and to facilitate the new Pay on Foot scheme, a new MSCP Management office was constructed.

Uniquely, it is believed, the project also included the installation of carbon monoxide measuring equipment, linked to ventilation fans. As soon as the equipment detected a high level of C0 in the atmosphere, it automatically switched the fans to ‘action’ mode to clear the offending air.