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.