THE METHOD of exactly how the roof of Stalybridge’s Civic Hall will be replaced in contentious work has been revealed.
Eyebrows have been raised among some in the town at a lack of activity on the much talked about project.
However, an extremely detailed letter in a planning application submitted by Robertson North West Construction Limited has spelled out what will happen step-by-step.
The latest documents relate to the proposed roof material being new Welsh slate to the external slopes and reclaimed Welsh Slate to the internal slopes.
And Salford-based Crescent Roofing appeared to clear up any doubts of what will happen once work begins.
In summing up, the firm states: “The overall objective of the contract is to renew/refurbish the existing roof coverings including the slate, rooflights, gutters and downspouts of the Stalybridge Civic Hall, there will be a thermal upgrade and a safety system added.
“There will also be site-specific risk assessment and method statements produced for each element of the work.”
Crescent Roofing state its preference is there is nobody occupying the buildings spaces while its contract is carried out.
It adds: “If this is not possible, zonal working and extra provision will need to be agreed ahead of time for everyone’s safety.
“All of the workforce will be trained and hold relevant qualifications/cards for their task.”
A full working platform will be set up at roof level, including a double-boarded lift to the first lift with sheeting membrane over pavements and doorways, brick guards and debris netting to all working platforms.
Wood will also be fitted around the scaffolding to prevent anyone climbing up and the car park to the rear of the Civic Hall will be turned into the site’s compound, with some kerbs on surrounding Dean Street having already been removed.
Inside, a 12-metre high scaffold birdcage will be built in the main hall, with a bridged and beamed section above the offices and beneath the skylights, with safety netting should anything fall.
On the roof itself, Crescent Roofing adds: “The work environment is split into three bays with 6 main elevations and fundamentally the work will be carried out in a consecutive manner.
“The roofs will be stripped from top to bottom, the aim is to reclaim enough Welsh slate to be used on one elevation.
“After the roof has been stripped but before any work to the rooflights is carried out, our asbestos removal contractor Airsafe UK will prepare the internal birdcage area.
“Decontamination will take place, after which, all will be disposed of as asbestos waste.”
Work on the Civic Hall, now expected to cost as much as £3 million, will also see work done on gutters and elements surrounding the slates.
And changes will be made as Crescent Roofing continue: “The cast iron gutters will be inspected and if deemed fit for purpose they will be cleaned and resealed to maintain one of the original features of the building, the external gutters will then be painted black as requested.
“The cast iron downpipes have been identified as defective and will be replaced in black cast iron to match the existing as closely as possible.”
Much has been made of the work to Stalybridge Civic Hall, not least about its rising cost.
A £558,000 sum increased to £1.69 million in 2021 then according to the latest report for Tameside Council, the maximum figure it may set them back is £2,893,000.
And leader of Tameside Council, Cllr Ged Cooney, admitted bringing the property back into full use is near the top of his list of priorities.
He said: “It’s a building that’s treasured, I wouldn’t disagree with that and we’ve got to solve the roof issue.
“It’s got to be at the heart of our new boom in Stalybridge.
“It’s got some fantastic little streets. Some of the developments over the years may have seen some of the character lost but I know the work that’s going into it.
“We’ve got to look at getting the Civic Hall up and running properly – but not just as a civic building.
“I think it can be more vibrant in the day.”
How long will the work take to complete?