Return Ticket for Total Access
Total Access UK Ltd, The UK’s leading Rope Access, Height Safety Support Services provider recently returned to one of their oldest most prestigious contracts in London-Waterloo Station.
Waterloo is the UK’s largest station covering an area of 24.5 acres. In 1994 it was awarded the Best Building prize by the Royal Institute of British Architects for “its power and elegance.” One of its most notable features is the Victory Arch, built of Portland Stone. This commemorates the London and South Western and the Southern Railway men who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars.
In 1993 Total Access was contracted at Waterloo Station to train their curtain wall and curved glazing installers in work at height procedures and rope access techniques; to assist them with their installations and to supply all installation personnel with suitable specialist equipment.
As the project progressed, Total Access developed the Rope Access system strategy for cleaning the curved glazing; running live demonstrations on the site for the Health and Safety Executive and Contractors who would later give the system their approval. This unique Rope Access system was one of the earliest rope access system installations in London.
Total Access worked directly with the Cleaning Contractors responsible for the end of build high level cleaning, this was done in the run up to the stations grand royal opening by the Queen which took place on 14th November in 1994.
This magnificent building that was once home to the Eurostar, has slowly succumbed to the pressures of time. The last train bound for Paris departed at 1812 GMT on the 13th November 2007. Waterloo Station is now going through a transitional period; the Department for Transport has taken over and is working to bring the Station back into full domestic use beginning with a phased introduction of regional services starting from November 2008.
Total Access, steeped in Waterloo history, has once again been called upon for its specialist services. This time Total Access has carried out a full cladding, glazing and external trusses inspection along with a full test and recertification of Waterloo’s rooftop safety systems.
Graham Burnett, Managing Director of Total Access and one of the original contractors in 1993 commented,
“Having previously worked so hard on such an award winning piece of architecture, I am personally delighted for Total Access to be involved once again and look forward to helping set this iconic station, and its ground breaking rope access system, back on the road to full use.”
For further information please contact:
Ben Haughton - Total Access (UK) Limited
t: 01785 850333
e: benhaughton@totalaccess.co.uk
www.totalaccess.co.uk
