Premier Technical Services Group Ltd (PTSG) has completed a package of works to provide specialist steeplejack services at Oakshaw Parish Church in Paisley, on the west side of Glasgow.
Formerly Paisley High Church, built in 1756, the steeple was added in 1770 and renovated and extended during the nineteenth century. PTSG Building Access Specialists Ltd was selected to undertake vital structural work to the steeple due to the expertise of its engineers in this area of work and the methods proposed to carry out the work.
The finial rod that projects six metres above the tip of the spire had deteriorated over the years and a combination of corrosion and continual strong winds had rendered the upper part of the spire unsafe, with the potential danger of collapse.
PTSG mobilised its Edinburgh-based steeplejack team (part of PTSG Building Access Specialists Ltd), who promptly erected a bespoke-designed scaffold tower to access the steeple and make it safe – the priority in the short term.
After further inspection it was identified that the upper five courses of the spire had become unsafe and immediate action was required. PTSG’s steeplejacks formalised a plan to remove the finial rod and loose stonework using a 100-tonne mobile crane. In conjunction with the crane, PTSG’s team stropped all the loose and dangerous components and the crane lifted these safely to ground level. The client was delighted with the results. Work to reconstruct the spire and finial rod is now ongoing.
