Suspended Scaffold Over Water on Willes Road, Leamington Spa
Sky Scaffolding Midlands Ltd installed this cantilever drop lift scaffold to provide safe access for repair of a bridge over the River Leam.
During a regular bridge check-up, the three-span brick arch bridge was discovered to be in a deteriorated state, with unstable and severely weather-beaten stone parapets that had completely worn away in certain places.
Edward Willes of the Newbold Comyn Estate ordered the construction of the bridge in 1827, and it underwent enhancements in 1876. It is believed that during this time, a bronze falcon, the emblem of the Willes house, was placed on both sides of the bridge. Additionally, the eastern parapet was adorned with a carving of the Willes family’s coat of arms.
The official list entry for the structure on Historic England can be found here.
Key Scaffold Features
This scaffold for conservation and refurbishment works was erected using Layher system scaffold.
A freestanding cantilevered design was adopted with counter balance provided on the road to avoid the need for scaffold to be built up from the river bed.
The single-boarded-lift suspended scaffold was supported on 450mm aluminium lattice beams.
Concrete weights were used as kentledge to support the cantilevered scaffold and the live loads from the works being carried out.
