STERK MEETS LONDON 2012 CHALLENGE
When Willerby Landscapes was contracted to maintain the grounds
of a famous Park under construction in Stratford, east London, it
faced the not inconsiderable challenge of accessing a
five-metre-high sloping wall. Having first contacted Sterk Systems
in 2009, requesting a system to assist in building the wall,
Willerby then got back in touch two years later for a system to
help maintain it.
Contracts Supervisor at Willerby, Paul Pollington, explained the
challenge to Sterk Systems. It was a particularly difficult access
problem. Unlike conventional vertical walls, this one is set back
at an angle of 70 degrees. And the ground at the foot of the wall
slopes down and away from it, too. Strict safety rules on site
meant that the plants on the wall couldn't be maintained from a
ladder, and following the resurfacing of the path beneath access by
cherry picker was out of the question as well, even where the
ground wasn't steeply sloping.
Sterk Systems' solution was a three-metre-wide Triangular Bridging
System, with its platform height adjustable from 1.5 to 5 metres.
The normal working angle for the supports of the system is 70
degrees and so they matched the angle of the wall perfectly. The
issue of the sloping ground was easily solved by special
one-metre-high adjustable feet, allowing each side of the two
supports to be adjusted to a different height. The system supplied
by Sterk also has an integral winch, which means the entire
platform - which also comes with safety handrails all round - can
be built at ground level and then raised up to the required working
height.
Willerby Landscapes are extremely pleased with their Sterk System.
It would have been difficult, if not impossible, to have maintained
the planted wall without it. The fact that the system can be
dismantled and moved along the wall within a matter of minutes is
also a great plus point for their busy staff.
The sloping wall at the London 2012 site can now be easily
maintained using Sterk's Triangular Bridging System.
If you have an access challenge which you think Sterk Systems can
help with contact us on 01494 582051.