Roman wall concerns halt major gas pipe works

The gas pipe works were stopped after workers found the main pipe was nearer the city wall than previously thought

Work on a major gas pipe has been halted after workers found the pipe went through the base of a historically important Roman wall.

Wales and West Utilities has dug up part of South Street in Exeter, but work has now been stopped for an archaeological examination to take place.

Exeter's ancient city wall has survived in large parts and is historically "extremely significant" according to Historic England.

The work was due to be completed by November but Wales and West Utilities said it did not know how long the work would now take.

Wales and West Utilities said it did not know how long the archaeological work would take

Roxanne Whittaker, who is managing the project for Wales and West Utilities, said: "While we were working in the area, we discovered that the old gas pipe travels through the base of the Roman wall.

"Once we discovered this, we immediately paused work in order for an archaeologist team to assess the situation."

The hole that has been dug on South Street is next to the remaining city wall and on the site of a Roman gate house.

The Roman wall is thought to have been first built in about AD200 and has been repaired and rebuilt throughout the Anglo Saxon, medieval and Civil War periods.

According to Historic England the wall goes around what were the city limits - measuring about 2.35km (1.45 miles) with more than 70% of the wall still visible.

Wales and West Utilities said engineers would stay on site to help the archaeological team.