One of the country's biggest telescopic cranes paid a visit to Sussex last week to help out on the construction of a new leisure centre.

Above: Liebherr LTM 1800 places a 50t beam

Ainscough Crane Hire has deployed an 800t-capacity Liebherr LTM 1800 to lift roof beams on Morgan Sindall’s £17m Splashpoint  development in Worthing.

The project team used the telescopic crane to lift the 50t steel beams into place on the roof of the centre’s main pool hall.

The crane was rigged with 56.4m of main boom extended and 160t of counterweight attached. The load was lifted at a radius of 32.5m radius. Set up space was tight, with site hoardings and a nearby live road presenting restrictions.

Morgan Sindall area director David Sershall said: “This was a complex phase of a major project which required meticulous planning and site management. The competence of our site team ensured that the operation went smoothly. We are pleased to be moving forward on this project at a rapid pace and look forward to see the centre open on schedule next year.

“The placing of the roof beams is the most complex part of the installation of the structural steel framework to the main pool hall. The development’s location on Worthing’s seafront meant that careful planning was needed to ensure that inclement weather conditions did not affect the lifting of the beam.

The installation of the steel beams marks a significant stage in the construction of the Leisure Centre, which involves the replacement of the ageing aquarena with a brand new centre which will include a six lane 25m competition pool and diving pool, both with moveable floors, and a health and fitness centre.

Splashpoint is designed by architects Wilkinson Eyre.

• Click here to return to the previous page
• Subscribe to our free construction newsletters