Bennetts Cranes Supports Westminster Redevelopment with Potain MR 309 Tower Crane
- Meagan Wood
- Mar 6
- 3 min read
30-Second Takeaway
Bennetts Cranes supported the redevelopment of two eight-storey office buildings at 40 The Broadway in Westminster, working alongside RED Construction to deliver a lifting solution tailored to a highly constrained city centre site. A Potain MR 309 luffing jib tower crane was selected to meet strict oversailing restrictions, limited power availability and structural limitations while maintaining the lifting capacity required for the redevelopment programme.
Bennetts Cranes Supports Westminster Redevelopment Project
Crane hire specialist Bennetts Cranes played a key role in supporting the redevelopment of two eight-storey office buildings at 40 The Broadway in Westminster, London.
Working with RED Construction, the company helped deliver a crane solution designed to operate effectively within the challenging conditions of a busy city centre construction site.
From the earliest stages of the project, selecting the appropriate lifting equipment was critical to ensuring the redevelopment programme could proceed according to schedule.
Complex City Centre Constraints
The Westminster location presented a number of technical challenges that significantly restricted the available crane options.
Key site constraints included:
Strict oversailing restrictions
Limited on-site electrical power supply
Requirement to position the crane on the building’s lift overrun structure
Avoidance of additional temporary structural works
Despite these limitations, the crane still needed to provide sufficient reach and lifting capacity to support the redevelopment works. Addressing these combined constraints required early technical planning and equipment evaluation to identify a viable lifting solution.
Potain MR 309 Luffing Jib Tower Crane Selected
Following a detailed assessment of the site conditions, Bennetts Cranes collaborated with Potain UK to determine the most suitable crane for the project.The Potain MR 309 luffing jib tower crane was selected as it met the operational requirements of the constrained site.
Several features of the crane made it particularly suitable for the redevelopment project.
These included:
Short out-of-service radius, allowing the crane to remain within site boundaries
Sufficient lifting capacity at the required operating radius
Low base loading, enabling installation on the lift overrun structure
Adjustable power demand, allowing operation within the limited site electrical capacity
These characteristics allowed the crane to operate efficiently without requiring additional structural reinforcement or temporary works.
Zoning Technology Enhances Site Safety
To ensure safe operation within the restricted urban environment, zoning technology was integrated into the crane configuration. The system helps manage oversailing limitations and potential collision risks, allowing the crane to operate safely within the defined site boundaries.
This technology is particularly important for tower crane operations in dense urban construction environments, where surrounding buildings and infrastructure can create operational limitations.
Ongoing Support Throughout Construction
Bennetts Cranes provided continued technical and operational support throughout the
crane’s deployment on the project. The company worked closely with Potain UK and RED Construction, coordinating the installation, operation and eventual dismantling of the crane.
This collaboration helped address technical and logistical challenges as they arose during the redevelopment programme.
The Potain MR 309 tower crane remained operational throughout the construction period and was dismantled in line with the project schedule.
Its successful deployment helped ensure the redevelopment reached practical completion on time.
About Bennetts Cranes
Bennetts Cranes is a UK-based tower crane supplier providing crane hire, installation and support services for construction projects across the country. The company specialises in delivering lifting solutions for complex construction sites, including urban redevelopment and high-rise building projects.
About Potain
Potain, part of the Manitowoc Group, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of tower cranes. The company produces a wide range of luffing jib and top-slewing tower cranes used for construction projects including high-rise buildings, infrastructure developments and urban redevelopment projects.
Website: https://www.manitowoc.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What crane was used for the redevelopment at 40 The Broadway?
A Potain MR 309 luffing jib tower crane was used to support the redevelopment project.
Why was a luffing jib crane selected for the site?
The luffing jib crane allowed the project team to control oversailing and operate within tight site boundaries, which was essential in the constrained Westminster location.
What challenges did the construction site present?
The site had strict oversailing restrictions, limited power availability and structural constraints, requiring the crane to be installed on the building’s lift overrun structure.
What safety technology was used on the crane?
Zoning technology was integrated into the crane setup to manage oversailing and reduce collision risks.
Who worked on the crane solution for the project?
The lifting solution was developed through collaboration between Bennetts Cranes, Potain UK and RED Construction.
