Mabey Hire Fleet Street below ground during construction phase

Modular groundworks solutions aid in iconic Fleet Street renovation

Fleet street 584x584 (01)

Project Overview

Location
Sector Building
Products

120 Fleet Street, symbolic for its association with the British newspaper industry, is undergoing major redevelopment to create new, highly sustainable commercial spaces in the heart of the city. Enabling and demolition specialist Erith was contracted to deliver works on both the Grade II* listed Daily Express Building and the new River Court office development—a 52,000m² landmark that will rise from seven to 21 storeys at its highest point. As part of their appointment, the original River Court superstructure required top-down demolition to ground floor level. Faced with the need for a flexible groundworks solution at short notice, Erith turned to us for our support and expertise in delivering safe, adaptable temporary works.

The challenge

Groundworks support

The demolition of the River Court superstructure required additional temporary support to stabilise the basement and surrounding ground. Without this, the substructure demolition works could not have been carried out safely. A tailored groundworks solutions was needed to maintain stability and allow Erith to proceed with confidence.

Site Access Issues

The confined city centre location meant heavy plant and large tower cranes could not be brought onto site, restricting lifting capacity to just 10 tonnes. This created a challenge in how to deliver and install the required support structures efficiently.

Engineering Expertise

Given the scale and complexity of the works, a standard groundworks system was not enough and bespoke engineering input was required.  Ongoing project support was needed to ensure the temporary works could be delivered, installed, and adapted as the demolition progressed.

Our solution

Erith, led by Project Manager Steven Gillam, was tasked with soft stripping, erecting perimeter scaffolding, installing a tower crane and base, and demolishing the original River Court superstructure to make way for the new office tower. Due to the complexity of the demolition, additional temporary support structures were required to stabilise the ground and basement, prompting Erith to enlist the expertise of Mabey Hire.

Site access presented a further challenge, as the confined city centre location restricted lifting capacity to a 10-tonne crane. Mabey Hire provided a tailored groundworks solution that could be installed within these limitations, ensuring the works were carried out safely and efficiently.

The temporary works scheme we supplied incorporated Super Bracing Strut-1000, as well as a Mass 25 propping tower.

View Super Bracing Strut-1000
Mabey Hire Fleet Street super bracing strut 1000 installation
Mabey Hire Fleet Street super bracing strut 1000 and mass 25

Major Projects Sales Manager at Mabey Hire explained: “Our Super Bracing Strut was the perfect fit for this project due to its modular construction, meaning it could be split into two sections and easily transported to site. Individually, each section was within the weight limit of the onsite tower crane, enabling it to be safely lifted into position and assembled on site.

“We also designed, supplied and pre-assembled a temporary support tower, constructed from our Mass 25 props. Due to the ground level being seven metres below the strut installation level, this propping tower provided intermediate support during both the installation and dismantling of the Super Bracing Strut, further ensuring the safety of those on site.

Our comprehensive range of equipment wasn’t the only reason we were brought in on the project, with Steven saying: “Our biggest constraint was time, as all equipment needed to be fitted quickly so main works could continue. Mabey Hire’s technical, engineering and delivery teams were extremely supportive, delivering equipment seamlessly to site. The preassembled propping tower sped up installation and dismantling, providing significant programme savings. From our initial enquiry to the kit arriving on site took under four weeks, which was extremely beneficial for us.”

Get in touch

“Due to the confined city centre location, we were unable to bring in a larger tower crane, meaning we were limited to a 10-tonne capacity crane. This was a key factor that we had to consider when looking for temporary groundworks support, and Mabey Hire was able to meet the challenge head on.”

Steven Gillam
Project Manager/Erith

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