Ainscough called in for specialist chimney job

CRANE hire giant Ainscough has completed a project to remove the top part of a grade two-listed Victorian chimney in London.

The Wigan company was contracted to perform the job by Squibb Demolition in conjunction with structural engineers PGCS Partnership, which are both based in Barking, in Essex.

The top of the chimney – which is 30m high – needed to be removed and stored as part of Thames Water’s Tideway Tunnels improvement scheme.

Ainscough used two cranes to split the chimney into eight sections before dismantling it over a two month period.

Kevin Vogan, area sales manager at Ainscough, said: “Because the chimney is listed, the activity needed to meet strict heritage guidelines, and meticulous planning and coordination were essential.

“A chassis was created for each section of the structure, providing four lifting points, which allowed them to be systematically lifted ready for storage.

“Overhead power lines added to the challenges of the project, but our team ensured the logistics ran smoothly, with cranes rigged for maximum safety, within National Grid regulations.”

John Davis, contracts manager at Squibb Demolition said: “We needed to use a method that would allow the chimney to be rebuilt at a later time, with no visual signs that it had been touched.

“The Ainscough team played an important role in the activity, with an efficient and professional approach that helped us complete the job successfully.”

Ainscough’s turnover fell to £128.6m to the end of last May from £132.7m the previous year.