Heritage project: Rope access inspection of 100ft chimney at Wigan’s Pagefield Mill

Client

Christians – The Survey Company

Duration

7 Days

Location

Wigan

Sector

Heritage

Orb Rope Access recently carried out inspection services and loose material removal at Pagefield Mill in Wigan.

The brief

We were approached to use rope access techniques to carry out an inspection of Pagefield Mill’s 100ft chimney and remove any hazardous loose materials.

The building

Built in 1867 and once a thriving industrial hub, Pagefield Mill on the outskirts of Wigan town centre has been derelict for around 40 years. Over time it became a hotspot for vandalism, arson and antisocial behaviour. According to Wigan Today, in 2022 firefighters responded to 91 incidents at the site, which is the equivalent of one call out every four days.

In December 2023, because of its treacherous condition, contractors were brought in by the council to take control of the site boundaries and clear away hazardous areas. Although the site is privately owned, the council felt duty-bound to get involved to ensure public safety.

Once the site was secured, its future needed to be decided. Detailed inspections were required to determine its condition, with the mill building itself a priority.

The most iconic feature of Pagefield Mill is the 100ft chimney tower. Due to its height, rope access techniques were required to complete a full inspection of the chimney’s structural integrity and safety to allow the property owners to make informed decisions about its future.

Orb Rope Access have extensive experience in working on heritage sites. We understand the safety concerns and risks associated with such old buildings, particularly those in a state of disrepair.

The work

Our team of experienced rope access technicians used specialist equipment and techniques to identify areas of the chimney that required particular attention. One of the benefits of rope access for heritage buildings is the ease of access it provides to even the most hard-to-reach areas of such tall but fragile structures.

Access to the top of the chimney was provided by an external ladder system that had corroded considerably. At the top there was a small hole in the roof that we climbed through to be rewarded with views that extended miles beyond Wigan.

Throughout the project, safety was our top priority. Our technicians underwent rigorous training and followed strict safety protocols to ensure that the work was completed without any incidents. We also worked closely with the client to ensure other contractors could continue their work without disruption.

We gave the client a full report detailing all defects on the tower from which they can make plans for its future.

In addition to the inspection, our team also removed any loose material from the chimney which was at risk of falling and harming people below. This work was conducted both on the inside and exterior of the tower and, as with all of our heritage projects, was sensitively executed to avoid further damage.

Benefits to the client

Safety was a particular focus of this heritage project due to the condition of the building. Our expertise and experience of applying rope access techniques to a wide range of heritage projects enabled us to meticulously inspect the chimney. We were able to provide a thorough report about its condition that wouldn’t have been achievable using other survey methods. The findings detailed in the inspection report will have a significant impact on the future of this heritage site.

We’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Orb Rope Access on several multidisciplinary projects, each of which presented unique challenges and complexities. Their support has been absolutely critical to the success of our work. From start to finish, their team has demonstrated professionalism, expertise, and a strong commitment to safety. They’ve consistently gone above and beyond to ensure we could carry out our work effectively. We simply couldn’t have completed these projects without their knowledge and experience. If you're looking for a reliable and skilled rope access company, I can’t recommend them enough. They’ve been a crucial partner for us, and we look forward to continuing this partnership on future projects.
Kira Greenwood - Director at Christians Ltd

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At Orb Rope Access we are very proud to be an IRATA Member Company and hold Safe Contractor status. If you are looking for a trusted partner to assist with projects that require working at height or confined space, please get in touch for a no-obligation quote or by calling 0781 333 9064.