£1.9m refurbishment for Wakefield Cathedral

The Nave of Wakefield Cathedral is being refurbished as part of a 51 week £1.9m complex restoration project supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Years of dirt will be cleaned away and a new floor will, according to the Dean of Wakefield, the Very Reverend Jonathan Greener “deliver a renewed cathedral fit for the 21^st Century.”

North West building restoration experts William Anelay Limited and London-based conservation architects Thomas Ford and Partners are involved in the refurbishment and the project has received a £1.58 million grant from the Heritage Lottery.

Cathedral architect John Bailey of Thomas Ford & Partners said: “It is the first major intervention to the Nave since George Gilbert Scott’s reordering in the 1870’s. The philosophy has been to retain all significant historic fabric but to recognise that the cathedral has to move forward if it is to remain relevant to the people of Wakefield.

“The Nave will have a new stone floor incorporating a labyrinth design in the paving which will be a new feature and focus for those using the cathedral. The removal of 140 years of grime from the internal stonework and a new lighting scheme will lift the interior and allow visitors to fully appreciate this outstanding building. This is an exciting project and we are delighted to be associated with it,” he added.

Site Manager Geoff Roberts said: “Extracting the old floor was complicated as over 120 ledgers were taken out, some weighing up to a quarter of a ton.

“What followed was six weeks of meticulous archaeology carried out by Wessex Archeology that unearthed 26 bodies, many within coffins, buried beneath the nave. Damage from previous works was clearly visible leaving a large quantity of loose human bones which were all sympathetically reburied.

“A full birdcage scaffold was then installed over a five week period that has allowed us to clean the stone walls. We carried this out using specialist equipment that cleans stone and brick surfaces far quicker and more effectively using superheated water jet sprays.”

The innovative specialised process uses less water than traditional hot and cold water pressure washers firing a 150ºC liquid spray that removes all manner of surface coatings without any need for chemicals.

Geoff said: “The process of replacing the floor then begins in earnest with a series of layers installed that let the Cathedral breathe.

“There are a lot of complex issues associated with this job such as fitting services into the new floor space. We’ve divided it up into zones with the heating system and the electrical system installed within specific zones.”

Doug Evans, project architect with Thomas Ford & Partners, said: “William Anelay have been very sensitive and conscientious in their approach to this complicated and important project. We have formed an excellent working partnership with their site team which is an essential factor for success on historic building conservation projects.”

Anelay’s recently appointed Chairman Charles Anelay, the eighth generation of the family to be involved in the 265-year-old firm, is delighted with the progress: “Wakefield Cathedral is a wonderful venue and it’s a great pleasure for Anelays to be involved in the renewal of the building for generations to come.”

Work is expected to finish by Easter 2013.

Kier manager passes on career advice to students

More than 150 college students received first hand career advice on the construction industry at a talk given by the project skills and corporate responsibility manager at the repairs and maintenance provider, Kier.

Terry Hanlon shared his vocational experiences and personal career development with the students from East Durham College Technical Academy.

The presentation offered an insight into future employment opportunities within the sector, and broadening existing skill sets to diversify from traditional linear career paths. 

The students were shown real-life examples of construction based corporate responsibility projects in the East Durham area including Kier’s renovation of Peterlee Methodist Church, where the company is providing new floors and tiling in addition to donating a new kitchen. 

Terry Hanlon also talked about  Kier’s project to clean up the River Tees for local Tees Wheely Boat Club which helps disabled people of all ages enjoy boating. He said: “I hope the talk allowed the students to realise the potential scope for future employment within the construction industry, and to consider additional options available to extend their work experience.”

Kier’s project skills and corporate responsibility manager, Terry Hanlon presents to students at East Durham College

Safety spotlight to reduce falls on construction sites

Construction sites across Scotland and some areas in England are being targeted in a safety campaign in response to the continued loss of life and serious injury following falls when working at height.

In the last year, up to April 2012, 49 workers lost their lives on construction sites in the UK, with falls from height being the most common cause of fatal injuries.

During September, inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive, HSE, will be visiting sites. 

Archie Mitchell, one of HSE’s principal inspectors for construction in Scotland, said: “All too often straightforward practical precautions are not considered and workers are put unnecessarily at risk. In many cases, simple changes to working practices can make all the difference. ”

Further information about safe-working in construction can be found online at www.hse.gov.uk/construction

Renovations in keeping with heritage park

London’s historic Victoria Park has two new play areas and a dedicated area for skateboarding and bikes following a £12 million, 16 month renovation project.

The project, funded by Tower Hamlets Council and The Heritage Lottery Fund was carried out by family-owned construction, civil engineering and property services firm Osborne, which involved full renovation of the park’s facilities and grounds.

Improvements on the park included the two large play areas with play equipment, water play features, a new Wheels Park as well as restoration on the Old English Garden and other landscaping work.

Additional work included restoring the listed Burdett Coutts Fountain; the Rustic Shelter; the Bandstand; and all entrances and gates and Bonner Bridge. Many of the Bonner Bridge balustrades had to be replaced, and were cast from the original panels. More than one third of the materials and labour for this project came from within a 10 mile radius of the site.

Tommy Chambers the managing director of Osborne’s Civil Engineering team, said: “The whole community have joined us in refurbishing this magnificent park, with residents getting involved in planting, and some local school children painting murals to go on our hoardings while the work was taking place. 

“This park has been a key feature of the local landscape and in the lives of its residents since 1845, and these renovations have been designed to improve the experience for visitors.”

Car-free student accommodation project

Experienced student accommodation contractor Miller Construction has secured projects to deliver a £12 million 258-bed student accommodation block on behalf of S Harrison Developments for York St John University, and a multi-million 120-bed extension to Jarratt Hall for the University of Birmingham.

The new residencies for York St John University, on a derelict site in Carmelite Street, York, next to the city’s Hungate development, will be car-free, with students living within easy walking distance of all the city’s amenities. It is due to be completed in June 2013. 

Expected to achieve a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating, the student block is the third project Miller Construction has undertaken within the boundaries of York’s City Walls.

The project at Jarratt Hall features an extension to the existing student accommodation and part new build. Due for completion in September 2013, the Jarratt Hall building is also expected to achieve a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating.

Chris Webster the chief executive at Miller Construction said: “These contracts are in line with our strategy to focus our efforts on our core markets.  We are continuing to focus on programmes of work with repeat clients, in addition to increasing our client base.  We have delivered a number of successful student accommodation projects over the last three years, further reinforcing our skills and expertise in this market.”

Carmelite Street, York

New chief construction adviser

The Association for Consultancy and Engineering, ACE, has welcomed the appointment of Peter Hansford as chief construction adviser. A past president of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Peter Hansford succeeds Paul Morrell who stands down in November 2012.

Nelson Ogunshakin ACE chief executive, said: “Peter Hansford is an experienced and highly respected ambassador for the infrastructure and construction industry. He has a strong track record with contractors, consultants, and public and private client bodies both in the UK and internationally.  

“I am sure that he will not only continue to ensure that construction is at the heart of government policy, but will also be a strong advocate for promoting the UK construction sector in the international arena.

“I also congratulate Paul Morrell for his achievements while in office. His energy and commitment has helped to bring government and the construction industry closer together, as well as giving a lead to efficiency and carbon reduction in the built and natural environment.”

Guidance on design and installation of internal stone flooring

A new, updated code of practice for the design and installation of internal flooring has been published by Stone Federation Great Britain.

The code aims to be of value to architects, specifiers, commercial and domestic clients, designers, engineers and other professionals and is based on the key parts of several British Standards relevant to natural stone flooring. 

It incorporates the latest European standards and sets out the principal factors involved when deciding to use natural stone flooring including stone selection, design, laying and protection and maintenance.

The federation’s chief executive Jane Buxey said: “We receive more enquiries about stone flooring than any other speciality and we believe this new guide will be invaluable in answering many of the most important questions on the subject.

“The guide clarifies the definition of tiles and slabs and follows the requirements of the Harmonised Product Standards in readiness for the introduction of CE Marking.

“This comes into effect in July 2013 and will bring transparency to the stone’s correct name and offer clients absolute certainty on the material provided.”

Within the guide are descriptions of various types of stone which follow the requirements of European classification and guidance on the selection of screeds with particular reference to proprietary screeds. 

Also included is the latest guidance on underfloor heating, including operating temperatures.

 Slip resistance is dealt with, including guidance on sloping floors and a section on cleaning, maintenance and production has been updated to incorporate the most recent guidance.

For more details and an order form see website www.stone-federationgb.org.uk or e-mail enquiries@stonefed.org.uk.