Inside Connolly's pioneering project at Haigh Hall
HALL OF TRIUMPH
In Wigan stands a historic gem in the heart of Haigh, the Grade II-listed Haigh Hall. This timeless country house, now undergoing a ÂŁ40m transformation into an arts, culture and heritage destination, has had its history rewritten, thanks to Connolly Scaffolding. Their contract for internal and external access at Haigh Hall is no ordinary feat but a showcase of innovation, craftsmanship and collaboration.
PRESERVING HISTORY, AESTHETICS AND HERITAGE
Maintaining its original aesthetics and heritage significance is paramount when dealing with a Grade II-listed structure like Haigh Hall. Paul Turner of Manchester-based Connolly Scaffolding acknowledges this challenge: “Haigh Hall is one of our most challenging builds to date due to the Grade II-listed nature of the structure and requirements from English Heritage.”
The unique solution? Connolly Scaffolding omitted all physical ties into the structure, opting for buttressed restraint and ballast support instead. Over 100 IBC ballast tanks have been used for the required kentledge, ensuring that the scaffold structure could be secured without compromising the building’s integrity.
RAISING THE ROOF – LITERALLY
One of the most ambitious aspects of this project is the ongoing construction of TRAD UK’S Altrix roof system. This temporary roof isn’t just a protective canopy; it’s the critical first step in Haigh Hall’s transformation.
The sheer size of this mammoth structure comes with a multitude of challenges. The scaffolding structure’s length tripled with the buttress supports, requiring impressive engineering to ensure load transference. Adding to the complexity, the location of hidden voids, basement alcoves and below-ground services was uncertain. The positioning of the required ballast became a puzzle, solved only through meticulous planning.
Paul Turner explains, “Identifying these areas was of paramount importance to ensure there were no possibilities of collapse.” The result was a work of precision and skill that assured the safety and stability of the entire structure.
DEFYING THE WIND, SECURING THE SPINE
Haigh Hall, perched atop the area’s highest point, faced the challenge of massive wind speed loads from all directions. Connolly Scaffolding countered this with an elaborate spine beam arrangement. This engineering marvel secured and transferred the loads at the apex of the roof, preventing the scaffold structure from buckling under the strain.
INTERNAL CHALLENGES, EXTERNAL BRILLIANCE
The internal scaffolding presented its own set of challenges. The building’s impressive original fixtures, décor, ornate mouldings and plasterwork had to be preserved at all costs. Scaffolding had to be installed without imposing any loads on the delicate structures. Ingeniously, Connolly Scaffolding created bespoke designs to maintain access while centralising loads, preserving the building’s integrity and aesthetics. Even in the basement – a maze of tunnels, walkways and small rooms – Connolly Scaffolding’s expertise shone. Through collaborative efforts with the principal contractor, they located areas for back-propping, ensuring safety, stability and access for the client.
A COLLABORATIVE TRIUMPH
This monumental project’s success resulted from a truly collaborative approach. Connolly Scaffolding’s experienced team worked seamlessly, from the construction director to on-site supervisors and skilled scaffolding operatives. Their collaboration with Buckley Design Solutions turned vision into functional reality.
What makes Connolly Scaffolding a market leader in bespoke access packages? Paul Turner succinctly summarises, “We overcome challenges every day because we have an array of tools and talent at our disposal. This is what makes us a market leader in bespoke access packages.”
Their unwavering belief in their ability to overcome challenges and their commitment to excellence in scaffolding services were evident throughout the project.
CONCLUSION
The Haigh Hall scaffolding project stands as a testament to Connolly Scaffolding’s ability to conquer complex challenges while preserving history, aesthetics and heritage. Their innovative solutions, collaborative approach and unwavering dedication to excellence have established them as a force to be reckoned with within the scaffolding industry. Haigh Hall’s transformation is not only a tribute to history but a testament to the triumph of modern engineering and craftsmanship.
The NASC is recognised as the national trade body for access and scaffolding in the UK, producing a wide range of industry guidance for scaffolding contractors, their operatives and their clients. Members of the NASC are strictly regulated to ensure a continuous high standard of scaffolding practice.
The Scaffolding Association is the largest trade organisation in the UK scaffolding and access sector, campaigning to raise standards of safety, quality and workforce skills.
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents – actively involved in the promotion of safety and the prevention of accidents in all areas, demonstrating our commitment to safety and providing us with operational guidelines.
ISO 9001 is the internationally recognized Quality Management System (QMS) standard that can benefit any size of organization and is designed to be a powerful business improvement tool.
TRAD UK have been audited by BSi and are accredited to ISO 9001:2015.
POLICY STATEMENT
TRAD UK are established market leaders in the scaffolding hire and sales / fall prevention solutions market sector. The company has developed plans for continued organic growth for increasing market share and a commitment to continually improve the service we provide to our loyal customers. This will be achieved by our fully trained and professional teams supplying the highest quality products and delivering the highest quality service.
TRAD UK recognises the importance of the quality of our products, operations and service to achieving our company quality objectives. Our quality objectives have been planned and established with quantified, measurable goals that drive improvement and focus on maintaining and improving customer satisfaction. TRAD UK’s Senior Management have provided the resources and funds necessary to implement this policy and to achieve its quality objectives. It is, therefore, our policy to operate a Quality Management System that fully complies with the requirements of ISO9001:2015. This policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure its relevance to the strategic direction of the organisation.
The TRAD UK Top Management Team have shown commitment to satisfying all applicable requirements and compliance with customer, regulatory and statutory requirements, with industry codes of practice and relevant product standards (BS and EN). We also commit to continually improve our Quality Management System for sustained customer satisfaction and to continually meet the requirements of all interested parties.
This policy will be communicated to all employees and organisations working for and on behalf of TRAD UK and will be made available to all interested parties upon request.
The Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) is a voluntary accreditation scheme for fleet operators which aims to raise the level of quality within fleet operations, and to demonstrate which operators are achieving exemplary levels of best practice in safety, efficiency, and environmental protection.
CHAS is established as the market leader for health and safety pre-qualification in the UK. It is available to suppliers (those who provide goods and services) and to organisations (buyers) looking for suitably competent suppliers.
Constructionline is the UK’s largest Government-owned register of contractors and consultants for the construction industry. Constructionline standards are high, all suppliers are pre-qualified to the official Government pre-qualified standard.
BuildingConfidence is recognised as the standard for supplier excellence within the industry. Major contractors are using the service to evaluate their supply chains, drive up performance and forge longer lasting relationships with key suppliers.
BM TRADA membership and subsequent annual Scaffold Board grading accreditation allows TRAD to inspect the quality of their scaffold boards both new and in service. This ensures that the quality of their scaffold boards are always measured and comply with the current BS2482 – 2009 standard.
Alcumus is trusted by the world’s most respected organisations to help them create better, more sustainable workplaces.
The Alcumus SafeContractor scheme is a market-leading health & safety accreditation system, helping contractors and organisations become healthier and safer, and gaining SafeContractor status demonstrates an organisation’s compliance with increasingly stringent legislation.
This SafeContractor certificate has been awarded for the following services…
Work Categories:
Fall Protection Safety Systems: Fall Protection Safety Systems
Supplier & Service Provider: Access Equipment Hire Provider
Industry Roles:
Construction Contractor, Supplier
Category Related Activities:
Ladders / Step Ladders, Selection & Control of Subcontractors, Working at Height
