FMA News & Press Releases

Access leader’s signage support lives on

Published: Thursday 1st August 2013
Source: Nationwide Platforms

An iconic housing redevelopment has received critical acclaim nearly two years after Nationwide Platforms helped add the finishing touch to the project.

 

Originally built in 1961, Sheffield’s Park Hill Flats underwent a mulit-million pound renovation after falling into dereliction during the decades which followed. To celebrate the completion of the project, the team behind the refurbishment called upon Nationwide Platforms to help install a final, eye-catching centrepiece.   

 

Celebrating a famous line of grafitti which stood at the centre of the development for decades, a 37 metre truck mount was enlisted to aid the recreation the lettering – “I Love You Will U Marry Me” – in striking neon lighting. At the time of the installation, the widespread regional recognition of the site and its symbolic grafitti prompted a BBC Radio 4 investigation in to the story behind the art.

 

The T37 Ruthmann platform was used to help engineers drill and secure neon glass and control the installation of electrical cabling from the signage to the ground floor – a distance of more than 25 metres. With a large deck and considerable outreach, the truck provided a convenient, fast and highly effective solution, with work completed in just two days.

 

Now, around two years following the installation, the completed projected has been shortlisted for the highly prestigious Stirling Prize by the Royal Institute of British Architects  (RIBA). The yearly prize is considered to be the UK’s most prestigious prize for architechture.

 

Richard Miller, Executive Director – Sales, Nationwide Platforms, said: “Our truck mounted platforms help our customers complete hundreds of working at height tasks safely and effectively every single week. From the conventional to the eye-catching and even the truly unique, as in the case of this project, we’re always proud to play our part in safe working. On behalf of Nationwide Platforms I’d like to wish the Urban Splash team behind the Park Hill project the very best of luck following their Stirling prize nomination.”

The iconic “I Love You Will U Marry Me” signage glows in neon following its installation using Nationwide Platforms equipment.

A 37 metre Ruthmann truck mounted platforms was provided to provide the final touches to the Park Hill redevelopment project.

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For further information regarding Nationwide Platforms please contact Geoff Garner (UK Marketing and Communications Officer) on 07920 874987 or email [email protected].

Notes to Editor:

Nationwide Platforms is the UK’s largest powered access rental business, providing a fleet of more than 11,200 machines from a network of depots across the country. Nationwide Platforms also has the largest powered access training department in Europe, delivering a comprehensive range of working at height training courses to powered access operators and the access industry.

Nationwide Platforms is part of the world’s largest specialist access rental business, Lavendon Group plc. For further information visit: www.nationwideplatforms.co.uk or follow @NWPlatforms.