Ainscough Crane Hire recently collaborated with its client AmcoGiffen to remove a significant 20,000kg bridge at a historic Liverpool dock in preparation for essential repair work. On behalf of the national waterways charity Canal & River Trust, Ainscough deployed its Liebherr LTM 1300-6.2 crane to remove a lift bridge at Brunswick Dock on the River Mersey, facilitating AmcoGiffen's efforts to install new bearings and reseal the hydraulic lifting rams. Brunswick Dock, located within the Port of Liverpool, is part of the Southern Dock system and houses the Royal Navy Headquarters for the North of England (RNHQ NE), which includes the Royal Naval Reserve shore establishment HMS Eaglet.
Ainscough made two visits to the dock to complete the lift. The initial visit involved the removal of stoplogs—hydraulic engineering control elements utilized in floodgates to adjust water levels. AmcoGiffen manufactured and installed the stop planks to seal off the lock from the river and dock, enabling the disconnection of the bridge. Ainscough returned to the site to remove the 20-ton bridge for repairs. Positioning the 300-ton crane, which featured a 34.20m boom length, within the confined dock environment presented several challenges; these were effectively addressed through meticulous planning by Ainscough’s appointed person, Karl Dawson. Access to Brunswick Dock was achieved via intricate roadways surrounding the busy Albert Dock. Timber was utilized to assist the crane’s wheels and tires in mounting the curb, facilitating navigation through the Albert Dock traffic island. The bridge is currently undergoing necessary repairs, and upon completion, Ainscough will return to Brunswick Dock to reinstall it.
Garry Burke, Ainscough’s Lancaster and Preston depot manager, stated: “This lift of a critical piece of infrastructure was potentially complex, yet it was simplified through effective teamwork and a strong relationship between Ainscough and our client. “The confined environment of the dock and the inclement weather conditions by the River Mersey presented challenges; however, thanks to our team’s expertise and close collaboration with AmcoGiffen, we successfully completed the removal with minimal issues.”
Shaun Hastings, engineering manager at AmcoGiffen, remarked: “Ainscough provided outstanding support during this intricate lift, utilizing their extensive knowledge to minimize the crane size in a restricted area of the docks. “Karl Dawson’s role as the appointed person was pivotal in positioning the crane and developing the slinging strategy to achieve the ‘perfect lift.’ “The site team demonstrated diligence in the setup, with all discussions conducted efficiently and as planned. The entire team represented Ainscough exceptionally well.”
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