Overview
Crane access for modular classrooms was required at Lyne Green Primary School in Bristol, where new classroom units needed to be installed as part of a school expansion. With limited access to the site, all deliveries and lifting operations had to be carried out via the existing playground.
JAK Hire was brought in to provide a temporary ground protection solution that would allow a 120 tonne crane and delivery vehicles to safely access the site, while protecting a surface designed only for pedestrian use. All works were completed over a weekend, ensuring minimal disruption to the school and allowing the playground to be ready for use again at the start of the following week.
The Challenge
School environments bring unique challenges, particularly when heavy construction activity needs to take place within active grounds.
Protecting a Pedestrian Surface
The playground surface was not designed to for heavy plant or cranes. Without protection, there was a high risk of damage from the weight of a 120 tonne crane and delivery vehicles.
Restricted Site Access
With the school located in a built up area, the only viable access route for installing the new classrooms was directly across the playground. This required a solution that could safely support both vehicle movement and lifting operations.
Crane Set Up and Stability
A stable working area was needed for the crane to safely set up and carry out lifting operations. This required not just access, but a properly designed load spreading surface.
Minimising Disruption
All works needed to be completed within a tight timeframe to avoid disruption to school operations. The installation, lifting and removal all had to be carefully planned and executed over a single weekend.
The Solution
JAK Hire installed a temporary trackway and crane pad system using TuffTrak ground protection mats, creating a safe and effective working surface across the playground.
Playground Protection
TuffTrak mats were laid across a wide area of the playground to distribute the load of both the crane and delivery vehicles. This ensured the underlying surface was protected throughout the operation.
Access Route for Deliveries
A clear temporary route was created to allow lorries carrying the modular classrooms to access the installation point safely, without damaging the playground surface.
Crane Pad Installation
A reinforced area of matting was installed to support the crane during lifting operations. This provided the stability required for safely positioning and installing the new classroom units.
Weekend Installation
The entire operation was carried out over a weekend, including:
- mat installation
- delivery of classroom units
- crane lifting operations
- removal of matting
This ensured the school could resume normal use of the playground immediately after completion.
The Outcome
The project was completed successfully, with all modular classrooms installed safely and on schedule. The playground remained fully protected throughout, with no damage caused despite the use of heavy plant and lifting equipment.
By using TuffTrak ground protection mats, the contractor was able to carry out crane operations and deliveries efficiently, while ensuring the school environment was preserved and disruption kept to an absolute minimum.
Customer Experience
“JAK Hire understood the importance of minimising disruption at a school. The install and removal were efficient, and the surface was left in excellent condition.”
Need Crane Access for School Projects?
If you need crane access for modular classrooms or temporary access across sensitive surfaces such as playgrounds, JAK Hire can provide tailored ground protection solutions.
Our TuffTrak systems allow heavy plant and vehicles to operate safely while protecting school environments and keeping disruption to a minimum. Contact JAK Hire today to discuss your project.