JR Scaffold Services has completed a bespoke scaffolding and temporary roofing scheme to facilitate vital roof repairs at the B-listed Walton Building within the live Glasgow Royal Infirmary estate.

Acting as principal contractor, the Paisley-based firm installed custom double-gabled scaffold structures on both elevations of the landmark before adding a temporary roof to give safe access for works.

Given the constrained and sensitive setting, the programme was delivered through a complex, phased approach to ensure the scaffold could be erected safely by the team and partnering trades.

Because the site sits within a functioning hospital campus, surrounding routes were kept open throughout, maintaining safe access for pedestrians, general traffic, ambulances and deliveries.

Situated in the Glasgow Central Conservation Area and above historic tunnels, the building required a non-load-bearing base to prevent any additional weight over the tunnel network.

A tailored solution, designed by Gallery Access Solutions with input from Coltart Earley Architecture, created a beam-supported foundation from which the double-gabled scaffold could be formed, overcoming restricted access around the structure.

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Once complete, a rolling temporary roof was assembled to move safely over the Walton Building's roof. An electric palletiser assisted with moving materials part-way up the structure to streamline logistics.

Contracts Director, John Jack, led delivery of the intricate scheme, supported by a number of experienced JR Scaffold Services operatives in key roles.

Evan Horne, Estimator for JR Scaffold Services, said: "We were the lead contractor on this particular project, which is quite unusual for a scaffolding company. However, we took these new challenges in our stride, looking after aspects of the project such as construction phase plans, traffic management plans and providing assets including signage and welfare facilities for our trade contractors.

"We worked closely with the client and our partners, and, despite the unique and complex challenges of this particular project, we delivered the job on time and, most importantly safely."

Ahead of mobilisation, the company ran training for newer scaffolders by recreating the engineered solution at its headquarters and seconding team members to similar temporary roof jobs, including works at St Fillan's Church in Houston.

Temporary Roof Advisor for JR Scaffold Services, Owen Stoney said: "Because of the size and complexity of this job, we thought it was important to provide familiarisation and awareness training for our whole team. We built the gabled scaffold in our new yard and replicated the structure they were going to be building on in Glasgow.

"This allowed our team to work with the materials before they went live on site, giving them an understanding and awareness of how the structure would come together.

"We worked closely with the architects and designers to ensure that everything was set up in a way that provided safe access for the work to take place, while also protecting those using the areas surrounding the site."