Project Highlights
Northway carried out structural and visual repairs to Victorian stone entrance steps in Ilkley, replacing a cracked sandstone tread, repointing open joints, re-fixing coping stones and reinstating the steel handrail.
Cracked Victorian stone entrance step carefully removed and replaced
Matching sandstone tread sourced to retain visual continuity
Open joints repointed and coping stones securely re-fixed
Steel handrail repaired, straightened and re-bedded
Project Overview
Victorian terraces are a defining feature in Ilkley, with stone steps and boundary walls forming an important part of their character. These traditional entrance details are usually constructed from local gritstone or sandstone and are built to last, but they can still suffer from structural failure over time.
Northway was asked to carry out a sympathetic but robust repair to a residential property in Ilkley where one of the entrance steps had cracked through its centre.
The Issue
On inspection, the cracked step was found to be spanning a void beneath, which is a common feature of traditional stone stair construction. Over time, repeated loading and moisture ingress had weakened the stone, leading to failure.
Alongside the cracked step, the bedding mortar between adjacent stones had deteriorated, open joints were visible along the coping, and the steel handrail had worked loose and become distorted.
Works Carried Out
The cracked step was carefully dismantled and removed, along with the coping stones and affected handrail sections, to provide full access to the stair assembly. The void beneath the step was then cleared and prepared for the replacement tread.
A sandstone replacement was sourced to match the existing stonework, helping maintain visual continuity and compatibility with the surrounding fabric.
Works included:
- Careful removal of the cracked stone step
- Removal and re-fixing of coping stones
- Preparation of the void beneath the step
- Installation of a matching sandstone replacement tread
- Repointing of open joints using an appropriate mortar
- Straightening, repair and re-bedding of the steel handrail
Outcome
The completed works restored the entrance both structurally and visually while retaining the character of the Victorian terrace.
By selecting a compatible sandstone replacement and carefully reinstating the surrounding detailing, the repair remained sympathetic to the existing fabric while providing the stability required for long-term use. With the step, copings and handrail brought back into sound condition, the property once again benefits from a safe, functional and attractive entrance.
