Complex tower crane dismantling job in central London

UK construction equipment supplier Select Plant Hire has completed its scope of work at the recently completed high-profile One, Nine Elms, mixed-use skyscraper in Battersea, London. The building contains a blend of housing, office space and leisure and entertainment amenities. Construction began in 2015; The project finished with the dismantling one of its Comedil CTL tower crane.

For the dismantling Select was assisted by the heavy cranes division of UK crane lifting solutions provider Ainscough. The Ainscough team was approached by Select Plant Hire in May 2022, with the project requiring 18 months planning before execution. According to Ainscough, dismantling the 137m crane presented several challenges amongst its built environment surroundings. 

As the site’s location was next to Wandsworth Road rail station the team had to seek permission from both Network Rail and Wandsworth Council to undertake the operation. Through numerous site visits, the team was able to determine a solution in line with Network Rail’s requirements and the council’s safety standards and permission timelines.

Following months of modifications to plans, Ainscough operated using a 750t Liebherr LTM 1750-9.1 crane, with boom lengths at 32.7m and 49.1m, with an additional 91m luffing fly jib. It was also determined that the job was required to be carried out under 24-hour road closures over seven days.

To suit rigging and crane loads a bespoke Ekki mat arrangement was made under each outrigger to provide accepted loadings. In total 140 tonnes were imposed on an 8m long beam manufactured specifically for this job – with a 10% rate of deflection. This is equivalent to 2.8 tonnes per metre squared. This was executed with a safety factor of 33% on the outriggers to meet Network Rail guidelines.

Owing to a tight operating space, a vast weight and the access sites proximity to the pavement, levelling mats were placed to situate the crane level to the ground. In addition, rather than a hoist, a makeshift ramp was made from Ekki mats. This meant the team were pushed to source extra matting, as resources were already exceeded.

Bob Beardmore, heavy cranes technical manager at Ainscough, said: “At Ainscough we love a challenge. As the UK’s leading crane hire firm, it’s always good to demonstrate our expertise with jobs like these. I must mention Marcus Leyshon our Computer Aided Design (CAD) Technician for all the hours and rigorous planning throughout the project helped give us a seamless delivery.

“One of our key directives is making the right choice, and throughout this project we’ve constantly considered safety and proper execution. Client satisfaction is also of paramount importance and I’m glad to deliver in a safe and timely manner to meet client and council expectations. We’ve worked with Select Plant Hire on several projects and I’m glad to be extending our relationship through Nine Elms and look forward to the next job.”

Colin Hall operations manager at Select Plant Hire, said: “Between Select Plant and Ainscough Crane Hire we executed the lifting operation perfectly months of planning and lots of changes were all worth it to see the end result.”