Christchurch Priory – Design Built Scaffold Over the River

High-Tek Scaffolding erected a bespoke design built scaffold spanning the river at Christchurch Priory in Dorset. Purpose designed by a scaffold design engineer, the structure bridged the watercourse to give a specialist stone restoration company safe, fully boarded access to both sides of the Priory walls, in a location where no conventional ground supported scaffold could be built.

About the Project

Christchurch Priory is one of the most significant historic buildings on the South Coast, and the section of stonework requiring restoration sits directly above the river. Because there was no solid ground to build from and no room to work from the bank, the scaffold was fully designed and calculated to be founded in the river itself and span the channel. High-Tek Scaffolding then erected the structure on site to the approved drawings. Furthermore, the Priory grounds and the riverside footpath stay open to the public all year round, so protecting people using the site was every bit as important as providing access for the trades.

Scope of Works

The project involved several key elements. First, High-Tek Scaffolding set the structure out on site and built it strictly in accordance with the approved design drawings and supporting calculations for the river span. Second, the team erected a bridged, fully boarded working deck across the water, giving the stonemasons access to both faces of the Priory walls from a single structure. In addition, aluminium beam bridging and a dedicated access route were installed from the bank so operatives and materials could reach the deck safely. The scaffold was then sheeted and netted to contain dust and debris from the stone restoration works and keep it out of the watercourse. Finally, the team carried out a controlled, staged dismantle once the restoration was complete.

Challenges We Faced

This was one of the more demanding structures High-Tek Scaffolding has built. The scaffolders worked stood in the river while building the base of the scaffold, setting out and levelling the foundations from within flowing water rather than from firm, level ground. Consequently, every lift had to be checked against the design and adjusted as the structure rose, and materials had to be passed in by hand from the bank. The narrow, tree lined banks restricted access still further, and the listed fabric of the Priory meant nothing could be tied into or loaded onto the building itself. As a result, the design relied on an independent, free standing structure that carried its own loads clear of the historic walls.

Public Safety

Public safety was the single biggest consideration on this project. Christchurch Priory attracts visitors and walkers throughout the year, and the riverside footpath runs directly past the working area. Therefore, High-Tek Scaffolding installed timber hoarding, clear warning signage and a protected pedestrian route to separate the public from the works, keeping the footpath open and clearly marked at all times. Materials were contained within the sheeted structure so nothing could fall into the river or onto the path below, and the working area was checked at the start and end of every shift.

Health and Safety

Working over water on a Grade I listed building called for a rigorous approach. Full RAMS were prepared before any work began, covering work over water, rescue arrangements and manual handling in the river. All operatives held current CISRS scaffolding qualifications and wore appropriate PPE for working in the watercourse. Moreover, the scaffold was built and inspected in line with the design drawings, BS EN 12811 and TG20, with weekly documented inspections for the duration of the works. Consequently, the project was completed safely and without incident.

Our Service

High-Tek Scaffolding delivered a complete supply and erect service at Christchurch Priory, building the structure to the approved scaffold design. The stone restoration team had safe, stable access to both sides of the Priory walls for the full duration of their programme. As a result, the restoration works progressed on schedule and the historic fabric of the building was protected throughout.

Design Built Scaffolding in Christchurch, Bournemouth and Dorset

High-Tek Scaffolding erects design built and specialist access scaffolding for historic, listed and complex structures across Christchurch, Bournemouth, Poole, Dorset and the South Coast. If your project needs a scaffold that cannot be built from conventional ground level, contact us today for a free, no-obligation quotation.