27.04.2011

Cranes, access and the royal wedding

Here in the UK much of the country is gearing up for the big wedding on Friday which has been declared a public holiday.

Preparations have been taking place to ensure the best coverage of the ceremony to around 2 billion viewers around the world with both cranes and aerial work platforms playing critical roles.

A 60 tonne All Terrain crane from Hewden was called in to lift a temporary television studio into place opposite Westminster Abbey where the wedding will be held. The lift began at 4:00am to minimise disruption in what is a popular tourist area – particularly at the moment.

Hewden took on the project as a turnkey contract lift, providing full planning and risk assessments in advance. Large steel plates were laid down to support the crane and lower the ground bearing pressure, given that it was set up in Tothill Street, over the top of a tube line (London’s underground rail/metro). Please register to see all images

Up goes one of the main components of the temporary broadcast studio

As the studio was delivered in segments and built in situ, a number of consecutive lifts were required to ensure a successful installation. The three axle Terex AC630/3L was not only ideal for the congested site, but its six section 44 metre full power boom was able manage both the height and radii required.

Gary Lawrence, the Hewden crane operator from the company’s Dartford depot said: “It’s not every day that we are called upon to assist with the preparations for a royal wedding. We are in a busy tourist area in the heart of the capital, so a lot of skill and precision was required to successfully lift the studio into place and keep disruption to an absolute minimum.”

And on the day…

When it comes to the broadcast itself EPL Skylift, part of the Lavendon group, is supplying all but two of the aerial platforms being used by broadcasting companies during the event. A good many of the most dramatic pictures of the procession from Westminster Abbey are expected to be filmed from the top of a number of large truck mounted lifts, including the group’s only 100 metre truck (or is it trailer?)-mounted platform brought in from its Gardemann subsidiary in Germany.

ITN has booked the 100 metre Ruthmann TTS1000, along with a 62 metre and two 50 metre Bronto MDT models and a 27 metre T270 Ruthmann. The BBC has more modestly ordered a 58 metre Ruthmann T580, a 37 metre Bronto XDT and two 35 metre Bronto MDT models.
Please register to see all images

Gardemann's 100m Ruthmann TTS1000 in London

Locations for the platforms include Horse Guards Parade, Wellington Barracks, Hyde Park and Whitehall.

EPL Skylift is also supplying three platforms to the Metropolitan Police to support its security operations on the day. EPL Skylift will have 15 staff on hand on the day – 12 operators, an engineer, a back-up operator and James Marchant - Lavendon UK’s key account manager for media.

Marchant said: “EPL Skylift is supplying five machines to ITN, the host broadcaster, and four to the BBC. The company is providing all but two of the platforms being used by broadcasters on the day.”

“We have the experience and expertise to cope with big media events like this, but this event is extra special. We’re proud to be playing our part in meeting demand for coverage from such a huge worldwide audience.”
Please register to see all images

Facelift's 34m Bronto in black with the 61m unit behind

In case you are wondering, the other two lifts are 34 and 61 metre Bronto units supplied by Hickstead based Facelift. They are set up at Canada Gate close to Buckinham Palace. The 34 metre is shrouded in black netting so that it blends into the background and is equipped with three 'hothead' remote control cameras for ITN, BBC and BSKY B. The 64 metre is equipped with satellite communication and sound recording equipment.

Aerial lifts were also out in force this week helping with a number of jobs such as cleaning up the city’s monuments, such as the Cenotaph where David Ball Restoration had the job of pressure washing the war memorial – a Niftylift 170 trailer mount was enlisted for the work.
Please register to see all images

A Niftylift 170 trailer lift pressure washing the Cenotaph

Other jobs included hanging union flags along the wedding route between Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey.
Please register to see all images

One of three Niftylift HR12 self propelled lifts on Tuesday night putting up flags in Whitehall - this one at the entrance to Horse Guards Parade

The flag hanging was carried out overnight Tuesday with the deadline of 2:00 am so that the area could be cleared ready for a parade rehearsal at 4:00.
Hickstead based Facelift provided three 12 metre Niftylift HR12 self-propelled booms and 170 trailer lifts to Union Jack Sports which was responsible for providing and fitting flags to all of the lamp posts down Whitehall from Horse Guards to Parliament Square and then into Westminster Abbey.
Please register to see all images

A Niftylift 170 installing flags near the Big Ben