Ainscough Assists with Complex Tower Crane Deconstruction at One Nine Elms, London
- Meagan Wood
- Apr 25, 2024
- 3 min read
30 Second Takeaway
Ainscough Crane Hire’s Heavy Cranes Division has successfully supported Select Plant Hire in the dismantling of a 137-metre Comedil CTL tower crane at the One Nine Elms development in Battersea, London. Using a 750-tonne Liebherr LTM 1750-9.1, the highly complex operation followed 18 months of planning, extensive stakeholder coordination, and stringent rail and local authority safety requirements marking the final milestone in the landmark project’s completion.
Marking Project Completion at One Nine Elms
Ainscough Crane Hire has played a key role in the completion of the One Nine Elms development by assisting Select Plant Hire with the dismantling of one of its Comedil CTL tower cranes.
Located in Battersea, London, One Nine Elms is a recently completed mixed-use skyscraper featuring residential units, office space, and leisure and entertainment amenities. Construction began in 2015, and the removal of the tower crane signalled the formal completion of the project.
18 Months of Planning for a High-Risk Urban Environment
The Ainscough team was initially approached by Select Plant Hire in May 2022, with the operation requiring 18 months of detailed planning before execution.
Dismantling the 137-metre tower crane presented multiple challenges due to the site’s dense urban surroundings. The project site sits adjacent to Wandsworth Road Rail Station, requiring permissions and approvals from both Network Rail and Wandsworth Council.
Through numerous site visits, engineering assessments, and plan revisions, Ainscough developed a solution that aligned with Network Rail operational requirements and the council’s safety standards and approval timelines.
Heavy Crane Configuration and Engineering Solutions
The dismantling operation was carried out using a 750-tonne Liebherr LTM 1750-9.1, configured with:
Boom lengths of 32.7 metres and 49 metres
An additional 91.0-metre luffing fly jib
24-hour road closures over a seven-day period
To safely manage rigging and crane loads, a bespoke EKKI mat arrangement was installed beneath each outrigger. This ensured accepted ground loadings in line with Network Rail guidelines.
Key engineering details included:
140 tonnes imposed on an 8-metre-long beam manufactured specifically for the project
10% rate of deflection, equivalent to 2.8 tonnes per square metre
A 33% safety factor on outriggers to meet Network Rail requirements
Working Within Tight Access Constraints
Due to restricted operating space, high imposed loads, and proximity to public pavements, levelling mats were installed to ensure the crane remained perfectly level.
Rather than using a hoist, the team constructed a temporary access ramp using EKKI mats.
This innovative solution required sourcing additional matting, as on-site resources had already been exceeded.
Industry Perspectives
Bob Beardmore, Heavy Cranes Technical Manager at Ainscough, said:
“At Ainscough, we love a challenge. As the UK’s leading crane hire firm, it’s always good to demonstrate our expertise with jobs like these. I must mention Marcus Leyshon, our Computer Aided Design (CAD) Technician—all the hours and rigorous planning throughout the project helped give us a seamless delivery. One of our key directives is making the right choice, and throughout this project we’ve constantly considered safety and proper execution. Client satisfaction is also of paramount importance, and I’m glad to deliver in a safe and timely manner to meet client and council expectations. We’ve worked with Select Plant Hire on a number of projects and I’m glad to be extending our relationship through Nine Elms and look forward to the next job.”
Colin Hall, Operations Manager at Select Plant Hire, added:
“Between Select Plant and Ainscough Crane Hire, we executed the lifting operation perfectly. Months of planning and lots of changes were all worth it to see the end result.”
About Ainscough Crane Hire
Ainscough Crane Hire is the UK’s largest crane rental company, operating a fleet of more than 400 cranes from 30 locations nationwide. Its Heavy Cranes Division specialises in complex, high-capacity lifting operations, including tower crane erection and dismantling in challenging urban and rail-adjacent environments.
🔗 Website: https://www.ainscough.co.uk
About Select Plant Hire
Select Plant Hire is a leading UK provider of construction equipment, tower cranes, and specialist lifting solutions, supporting major infrastructure and high-rise developments across the country.
🔗 Website: https://www.selectplanthire.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What crane was dismantled at One Nine Elms?
A 137-metre Comedil CTL tower crane was dismantled as part of the project’s completion.
Which crane was used for the dismantling operation?
A 750-tonne Liebherr LTM 1750-9.1 all-terrain crane was used.
Why was the project particularly complex?
The site was adjacent to Wandsworth Road Rail Station, required Network Rail approvals, and involved tight access, heavy loads, and 24-hour road closures.
How long was the planning phase?
The operation required 18 months of planning before execution.
Who collaborated on the project?
The project was delivered collaboratively by Ainscough Crane Hire and Select Plant Hire, with oversight from Network Rail and Wandsworth Council.
