Worcester Cathedral – Reaching New Heights: Scaffolding Contractor (Expression of Interest)

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