Project Overview
Worcester Cathedral is proposing a programme of high-level repair works to the North-West tower pinnacles, following previous storm-related damage and ongoing fabric deterioration.
The works will require a complex, high-level access scaffold to facilitate:
– Careful dismantling and rebuilding of stone pinnacles
– Masonry repairs and conservation works
– Associated roof-level access and protection measures
– The scaffold will form a critical element of the project, both in enabling safe access and in protecting the historic fabric below.
Scope of Scaffolding Works (Indicative)
The appointed contractor will be expected to:
– Design, supply, erect, maintain, adapt and dismantle a fully compliant scaffold system
– Provide independent tied scaffolding to the North-West tower at high level
– Minimise physical intervention into historic fabric (fixings into mortar joints only where required)
Incorporate:
– Full working platforms to pinnacle level
– Safe access routes for operatives and materials
– Hoisting arrangements / loading bays (subject to design development)
– Debris containment and protection measures
– Weather protection (if required)
– Welfare Facilites
Coordinate with:
– Cathedral operations (public access, services, events)
– Conservation requirements
– Specialist contractors (stonemasons, rope access where applicable)
All works must comply with:
BS EN 12811 and relevant TG20 guidance
Heritage best practice for working on listed structures
Key Constraints
– Grade I listed building of exceptional significance
– Prominent location within the city and cathedral precinct
– Ongoing public access and daily use of the cathedral
– Limited opportunities for fixing into historic fabric
– Requirement for visually sensitive and carefully detailed scaffold design
– Potential ecological constraints (programme-dependent)
Contractor Requirements
Interested contractors should be able to demonstrate:
– Proven experience of complex scaffolding to historic / listed buildings, ideally cathedrals or structures of similar scale
– Experience working at significant height and in constrained heritage environments
– Working to an agreed scaffold design on a complex building
Strong approach to:
– Health & safety
– Protection of historic fabric
– Coordination with multi-disciplinary teams
– Ability to engage early in design development and methodology planning
Expression of Interest Submission
Contractors are invited to submit an Expression of Interest including:
– Company profile and relevant experience
– Examples of comparable projects (with images where possible)
Initial comments on approach to:
– Working on historic fabric
– High-level access and stability
– Confirmation of availability and capacity
Next Steps
Following review of Expressions of Interest, a shortlist of contractors will be invited to:
– Submit a formal tender