ScaffEx26 day two: new tools and stronger connections

Daniel Norton
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ScaffEx26 day two: new tools and stronger connections

ScaffEx26’s second day brought practical questions to the exhibition floor: how to make scaffold designs easier to follow, get more use from equipment and give people better support at work.

At Manchester Central on Friday 11 September, Scaffmag’s conversations ranged from a new agreement between NASC and the Women in Scaffolding Association to the details of roof connections and the software contractors need to run their businesses.

There was also time to get beyond the product announcements and see how some of the equipment and technology on display was intended to work.

Support for women in the trade

NASC and the Women in Scaffolding Association (WiSA) discussed the next steps in their working relationship following a memorandum of understanding at the show.

Speaking to Scaffmag, representatives described an agreement intended to give WiSA greater reach across the industry and help NASC promote its work to member companies and their female employees.

That support would extend to women in office and other roles as well as those working on site.

Ideas discussed included involvement in NASC regional meetings, shared communications and opportunities for WiSA to raise issues affecting women in the trade. Further details were expected in a joint announcement the following week.

The conversation also covered concerns women had raised during the exhibition, including where to find support when faced with inappropriate comments at work.

WiSA’s representative said meeting people at ScaffEx had helped the association understand more about those experiences and the questions it needed to address.

The discussion gave a practical follow-up to Clive Dickin’s Virgin Radio appearance before the show opened on Thursday, when he spoke about encouraging more women into scaffolding.

Taking the drawing onto site

Layher’s SIM2Field XR demonstration focused on a familiar challenge: helping scaffolders interpret the design they are expected to build.

The app takes 3D scaffold models from LayPLAN CAD and makes them available on a mobile device through a link or QR code. Associated project documents can be accessed alongside the model.

During the demonstration recorded by Scaffmag, the team showed how users could inspect a structure, separate components visually and isolate a section of scaffold. The parts list and weight display changed to reflect the selected area.

An augmented-reality view allowed the model to be positioned in the physical space around the user.

The presenters explained that the aim was to reduce misinterpretation of detailed drawings and help the erection team understand how components fit together. The demonstration paired the digital model with a physical scaffold build.

A closer look at VECTA

On the Scafom-rux stand, Scaffmag took a closer look at the VECTA temporary roof and beam system announced ahead of the exhibition.

The explanation centred on practical details: identifying braces in the yard, keeping roof-track joints together and tensioning sheeting.

Colour-coded braces and size labels were designed to make component selection easier. The team also demonstrated the thinking behind track connections intended to draw adjoining sections together and seals intended to limit water ingress.

A sheet-tensioning arrangement was presented as an alternative to conventional ratchet straps.

The beams’ use beyond temporary roofing was another part of the discussion. The system is intended to give contractors equipment they can use in ordinary scaffolding applications as well as specialist roof work.

That was a useful opportunity to examine the design behind the launch. Performance figures will need the supporting technical documentation before they can be assessed in detail.

What contractors want from software

Conversations away from the demonstrations showed how closely visitors were looking at the day-to-day usefulness of business software.

One contractor described wanting a system that could take a job through its full life, from the initial enquiry to payment, with accounts linked in so information did not have to be entered twice.

It was a specific requirement, and a reminder of the buying decisions taking place between the larger displays. Visitors were comparing how products would fit their own businesses and what work would still have to be done manually.

Friday’s published conference programme covered hidden site risks, computer-based training and temporary roofing.

Thoughts are now turning to tonight’s Scaffolding Excellence Awards at Manchester Central, where the industry will come together to celebrate its people and projects.

ScaffEx26 day one: a bigger show and plenty to discuss

Daniel Norton
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ScaffEx26 day one: a bigger show and plenty to discuss

ScaffEx26 opened at Manchester Central on Thursday with large scaffold displays, viewing platforms and a conference programme focused on the practical pressures facing the trade.

Across the exhibition floor, visitors caught up with suppliers and colleagues, while the opening speakers addressed recruitment, recognition and the realities of running a scaffolding business.

Scaffolding on national radio

Earlier that morning, Clive Dickin had been taking the industry’s message to a wider audience on Virgin Radio.

His appearance before the exhibition opened covered the work behind the structures people pass every day, including scaffolding’s role in heritage restoration, energy and the film industry.

“Scaffolding is all about giving safe and efficient access to the work areas,” he said.

Dickin spoke about the range of careers available and the need to introduce the trade to young people in schools. It gave scaffolding national exposure as exhibitors and visitors prepared for the day in Manchester.

CISRS plans spark discussion

One subject came up repeatedly in Scaffmag’s conversations during the day: CISRS’s announcement that it plans to leave CSCS.

Several people who spoke to Scaffmag were initially unconvinced by the move. Questions centred on card recognition, site access and the possibility of competing requirements for scaffolders and their employers.

As Scaffmag reported on 8 September, CISRS plans to end its CSCS licence agreement on 1 June 2027, with new and renewed cards issued without the CSCS logo.

CISRS says the change will preserve a single competence card across construction and other industries, avoiding duplication. It says existing cards will remain valid until expiry, with qualifications and training routes unchanged.

Scaffmag understands CISRS was holding meetings with union representatives during the event. The outcome of those discussions was not known at the time of writing.

A bigger exhibition

The exhibition gave visitors plenty to explore, with large scaffold structures and viewing platforms drawing attention across the hall.

The NASC village included the Black Hat Arms, a pub-style space serving coffee and giving visitors somewhere to meet between stand visits. Skills and safety activities ran alongside the conference and exhibition, with a face-fit testing demonstration among the sessions announced on the floor.

Opening the conference, NASC president Sarah Klieve said the event had grown since its first edition in Belfast, with more suppliers and a wider range of products and services.

Klieve, who is also business director at High Peak Scaffolding, described a technical and creative industry that remains underestimated by the wider public.

Recruiting the next generation

Klieve put recruitment and retention firmly on the conference agenda.

She said High Peak had put at least 45 apprentices through the programme during her time in the business, with many still working for the company. Apprenticeships would remain important, she said, alongside other routes into the trade.

“We need the good people coming through. We need to give them the right skills and support,” she told delegates.

Her message also reflected the pressures facing contractors now. Businesses were dealing with changing conditions, she said, and ScaffEx gave them an opportunity to compare experiences and find practical ideas to take back to work.

Sean Pike, managing director of principal sponsor Layher UK, acknowledged the difficult market while pointing to the ambition evident across the exhibition.

He stressed the people behind scaffold designs and successful projects, encouraging visitors to use the two days to meet suppliers and develop business relationships.

Payment and risk under scrutiny

The first panel brought those business pressures into sharper focus.

PHD Access managing director Danny Dwyer described the risks contractors carry through extended payment terms and demanding project programmes, alongside the safety responsibilities inherent in working at height.

He warned that firms could face substantial exposure if they did not understand the contract terms they were accepting. A fairer approach to project delivery, he argued, would distribute risk differently across the supply chain.

Rob Wright of Lindum Group pointed to earlier involvement of scaffolding specialists as a practical way to reduce project risk. Bringing subcontractors into planning sooner helped ensure access arrangements met the needs of the trades using them.

The discussion gave contractors a direct connection between the event’s broader ambitions and the daily realities of delivering work and getting paid.

Remembering Wayne Connolly

A recorded message from Rebecca Long-Bailey, who introduced herself as the MP for Salford, paid tribute to former NASC president Wayne Connolly.

She recalled his pride in the industry and his commitment to improving recognition and conditions for those working in it.

“You’re often the first to arrive on the site and the last to leave,” she told delegates.

Long-Bailey also urged businesses to engage with their MPs, explain the work they do and use NASC’s manifesto to press for support on issues including late payment and skills shortages.

ScaffEx26 continues on Friday 11 September, with conference sessions scheduled on less visible site risks, computer-based training and temporary roofing. The Scaffolding Excellence Awards follow on Friday evening.

ScaffEx26 gets underway at Manchester Central

Daniel Norton
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ScaffEx26 gets underway at Manchester Central

The event opened this morning, Thursday 10 September, with contractors, suppliers, manufacturers, training providers and industry bodies gathering in Manchester for the third edition of ScaffEx.

This year’s show is visibly larger than previous editions, with NASC President Sarah Klieve telling delegates during the opening session that there were more suppliers, more sectors and more products and services represented across the exhibition.

The conference programme began alongside the exhibition, with host Sophie Long setting out three main themes for the next two days: “skills, safety and success”.

Klieve used her welcome address to encourage visitors to make full use of the event, meet suppliers, ask questions and share experiences with others across the industry.

She also pointed to the continuing skills shortage as one of the biggest issues facing scaffolding businesses.

“We need the good people coming through,” she said. “We need to give them the right skills and support, and we need to show that scaffolding can offer a genuine, rewarding and long-term career.”

Drawing on her own experience at family-owned High Peak Scaffolding, Klieve said the business had put at least 45 apprentices through the programme during her time with the company, with many still working there.

She said apprenticeships remained important, although the industry would need to look at a wider range of routes to bring people into scaffolding.

The opening session also included remarks from Layher Managing Director Sean Pike, principal sponsor of ScaffEx26, before the conference moved into a discussion on the commercial pressures affecting the scaffolding supply chain.

Topics included payment terms, the allocation of risk, workforce pressures, safety expectations and relationships between contractors and clients.

A recorded message from Salford MP Rebecca Long-Bailey also paid tribute to former NASC President Wayne Connolly and called for greater recognition of scaffolding as a skilled profession.

Away from the conference stage, the exhibition floor is hosting companies from across the scaffolding and access sector, with new equipment, digital tools, safety products and training initiatives being presented during the show.

Several launches are taking place across the two days.

Scafom-rux is introducing its new VECTA aluminium temporary roof and beam system, while SMART Scaffolder is using the event to present its AI Voice Reporting technology.

CISRS has also announced a new Train the Trainer programme aimed at creating a route for experienced scaffolders to move into training.

Live demonstrations form another major part of the event.

AT-PAC is due in the Demo Zone this afternoon with its Weather Protection Solutions presentation, including the Scaffix temporary roof system.

NASC will then demonstrate the latest changes to the TG20 ePortal, including support for 1.5m lifts and scaffold returns.

Conference sessions continue throughout today and Friday, covering skills, safety, business pressures, technology and technical development.

ScaffEx26 will conclude tomorrow evening with the Scaffolding Excellence Awards at Manchester Central.

Scaffmag is reporting from the event throughout both days, with further news, interviews and product coverage to follow.

Exclusive: CISRS launches Train the Trainer scheme at ScaffEx26

Daniel Norton
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Exclusive: CISRS launches Train the Trainer scheme at ScaffEx26

The programme has been developed to bring more trainers into CISRS delivery and will be unveiled as ScaffEx26 opens at Manchester Central.

Candidates will be trained by CISRS-appointed instructors, recruited through the scheme’s selection process. The programme covers CISRS requirements and the practical skills needed to deliver training sessions, with assessment focused mainly on candidates’ delivery against formal criteria.

Those who complete the programme will continue to receive mentoring from their instructor, observed delivery with structured feedback, peer support, regular CPD and access to updated CISRS training materials.

Rob Boardman, CISRS Head of Training and Education, said: “There is broad agreement across the industry that we need more trainers, and that the route into training should be clearer than it has been. What we have not had until now is a defined path from site to the classroom with proper outcomes attached to it.

“This programme will build confidence and delivery skills alongside technical understanding, so people finish it ready to stand in front of a group. We have taken our time, making changes off the back of feedback we have received, and we will continue to engage before, during and after the forthcoming pilot to ensure the highest quality programme for our industry.”

A UK pilot is due to run during the second half of 2026. CISRS said the material will be tested and refined where needed, with oversight from its Quality Assurance Committee.

Further details on entry requirements, locations, dates and how candidates can apply have not yet been released.

CISRS announces plans to leave CSCS in 2027

Daniel Norton
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CISRS announces plans to leave CSCS in 2027

CISRS has announced plans to leave the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS), with new and renewed scaffolding cards set to be issued without the CSCS logo from June 2027.

The scheme will become the Competence in Scaffolding Record Scheme on 1 January 2027, retaining its CISRS initials. Its departure from CSCS is planned for 1 June 2027.

CISRS says the decision will allow it to support scaffolders working across construction, utilities, marine, aviation and petrochemical industries without introducing separate cards for different sectors.

It says existing cards will remain valid until their expiry dates, with qualifications, training programmes and assessment routes unchanged.

Why CISRS is leaving

The decision centres on the scope of the CSCS licensing arrangements.

According to CISRS, a requirement introduced in March 2024 restricts cards issued under the licence to construction use. It says maintaining that arrangement would mean duplicate cards for scaffolders working across construction and other industries, adding costs for workers and employers.

Clive Dickin, CISRS CEO, said: “The same scaffolders undertake the same activities using the same qualifications and competence standards regardless of whether they are operating on a construction project, inside an aircraft hangar or on an offshore installation.

“The sector certification scheme recognised by scaffolding employers and their clients needs to adjust and reflect this reality.”

CISRS says its governance has historically focused on construction, despite the scheme’s use across a much wider range of workplaces.

According to figures supplied with the announcement, the scheme has about 120,000 cardholders worldwide.

A recent consultation of NASC members found that an average of around 35% of their work took place in non-construction settings, rising to as much as 80% for some firms, CISRS said.

What happens to existing cards?

CISRS says cardholders will be able to continue using their existing cards for the remainder of their validity, and that all current qualifications will remain valid.

From June 2027, new and renewed cards will have a revised design without the CSCS logo. The scheme also plans to issue cards increasingly online.

Existing training and further education providers will be able to continue delivering the scheme, with no competence routes withdrawn.

Dickin said: “All CISRS qualifications, training programmes, assessment routes and card verification systems will remain operational with a commitment to become OFQUAL registered within three years.”

CISRS says employers will continue to use a single card as evidence of scaffolding competence across the sectors in which their workforce operates.

Construction site acceptance

HSE has launched a consultation on proposed RIDDOR changes, with scaffolding firms urged to review reporting procedures, noise controls and occupational health measures.

CISRS has stated that existing cards will remain valid at the same sites as before.

Acceptance of future cards without the CSCS logo will be an important part of the transition. Build UK’s published training standard currently supports the Construction Leadership Council recommendation that the industry specify card schemes carrying the CSCS logo, with no equivalents accepted.

The announcement does not set out how that requirement will be addressed for the new cards.

The National Federation of Builders has backed the move, saying consistent recognition of scaffolding competence across industries would help avoid duplication.

Richard Beresford, its chief executive, said: “Making sure that the same skills are recognised in the same way across all sectors of the built environment is necessary to avoid costly duplication and potential confusion.”

He added: “CISRS has built its credibility over time and it is recognised by everyone in the sector as the reliable standard of training, assessment and certification in scaffolding and access.”

NASC adds 1.5m lifts and returns to TG20 ePortal

SM Newsdesk
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NASC adds 1.5m lifts and returns to TG20 ePortal

NASC has added two new configuration options to TG20, allowing users to specify 1.5m lift heights and include returns within tube and fitting scaffold compliance sheets.

The changes are now live in the NASC ePortal and are intended to make TG20 configurations more closely match scaffold arrangements commonly used on site.

1.5m lifts added

Users can now select a 1.5m lift height when creating a TG20 configuration.

The option is particularly relevant to traditional new-build work, where 1.5m lifts are widely used to give bricklayers a suitable working height when laying brick and block.

It means contractors can produce a compliance sheet that more accurately reflects the scaffold being erected rather than having to work around the previous lift height options.

Returns included in compliance sheets

TG20 users can now include scaffold returns within a configuration.

When selected, the compliance sheet includes an extra page setting out the requirements for both internal and external returns.

The information covers how far the scaffold should extend around the return, connection arrangements and the tying requirements as the scaffold continues around the building.

This puts the relevant requirements directly onto the compliance sheet for the scaffold being erected.

The online versions of the TG20 Operational Guide and TG20 Design Guide have also been updated with further information covering both additions.

NASC said the changes were introduced following feedback from TG20 users.

The organisation says 14,021 TG20 compliance sheets were downloaded through the ePortal during July alone, giving an indication of how widely the system is being used by contractors.

The latest functionality currently applies to tube and fitting scaffolds through the TG20 section of the ePortal. TG30 covers system scaffolding separately.

NASC will demonstrate the ePortal at ScaffEx26 at Manchester Central this week.

A live ePortal demonstration is scheduled for the Demo Zone from 4.15pm to 5pm on Thursday 10 September, with the NASC team also available during the exhibition to show visitors how the system works.

ScaffEx social media playbook released ahead of 2026 show

Daniel Norton
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ScaffEx social media playbook released ahead of 2026 show

A handy social media playbook has been released ahead of ScaffEx 2026, giving exhibitors and attendees ideas for building their presence around the event.

Created by Petite Agency, ScaffEx26’s social media partner, the 12-page guide covers how companies and their teams can plan content before arriving at Manchester Central, capture material during the show and keep the conversation going afterwards.

The guide starts with a simple marketing check-in covering company LinkedIn pages, staff profiles and content planning. Businesses can score themselves against 15 points, including whether team members have announced they are attending, whether meetings are being arranged and who will be responsible for filming content at the event.

Start before the show

One of the main messages is to begin communicating before arriving at ScaffEx.

The week before the event is suggested as the time to tell customers and contacts that the business is attending, explain what visitors can expect to see, introduce the team and arrange meetings in advance.

There is also a strong focus on the people behind exhibiting companies.

Managing directors, sales staff, technical specialists and other team members are encouraged to use their personal LinkedIn accounts to talk about what they are looking forward to, who they hope to meet and the issues they expect the industry to be discussing at the show.

The advice is deliberately simple. Companies are encouraged to give staff a basic plan rather than relying on a stream of identical corporate posts.

During the show, suggested content includes stand tours, demonstrations, team introductions and daily observations. Afterwards, businesses can use the material for customer stories, event takeaways and follow-up posts.

A phone can do the job

The guide also makes the point that event content does not require a large production setup.

Teams are encouraged to use their phones to record short interviews with technical staff, salespeople and senior leaders. Suggested questions include what customers have been asking about during the day and what changes people are seeing across the scaffolding industry.

A separate checklist suggests capturing team photos, customer conversations, testimonials, products in use, behind-the-scenes footage and short pieces to camera during the two-day event.

The playbook also advises exhibitors to move beyond routine posts such as ‘great first day’ or simply announcing a stand number.

Instead, posts should give readers some detail about what happened, what conversations took place or what visitors can see on the stand. Each post should also have one clear action, such as visiting the stand, arranging a meeting or watching a demonstration.

Collaboration is another part of the plan. Exhibitors are encouraged to photograph and tag customers, suppliers and other companies, as well as comment on and share content being produced elsewhere at the show.

Before publishing, the guide suggests one final test: would someone actually stop and read the post, does it say something useful, and is there a reason for other people to join the conversation?

For exhibitors already planning a busy couple of days at Manchester Central, it is a useful reminder that a little preparation before the doors open could leave them with weeks of content after everyone has gone home.

Lighthouse Charity launches £200,000 appeal as demand for support rises

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Lighthouse Charity launches £200,000 appeal as demand for support rises

Lighthouse Charity has launched an urgent appeal to raise £200,000 by Christmas, warning that record demand is putting its support services for construction workers and their families under pressure.

The charity says the number of families seeking financial, emotional and physical wellbeing support has risen by 51% so far this year. Food deliveries are up 65%, and it has funded more than 7,000 counselling sessions.

In the first seven months of 2026, Lighthouse supported more than 6,000 families and delivered over 8,000 meals, according to its latest media release.

The Winter Appeal is intended to help maintain those services as the charity approaches what it describes as its busiest and most challenging quarter.

Full-time workers seeking help

Sarah Bolton, chief executive of Lighthouse Charity, said the pressure extends to people who remain in full-time employment but cannot meet basic living costs.

“We’re receiving calls from people who are in full-time work but still can’t afford to feed their family, as well as paying for increased fuel, housing and energy costs,” she said.

Bolton said the charity’s team was hearing daily from workers struggling to cover essentials and travel costs, alongside people caring for sick children and relatives. Rising costs were adding to the strain on a workforce often working long hours, away from home and in challenging conditions.

“It’s a perfect storm and we need to act now. We need the support of the industry to ensure that we can continue to deliver our vital services,” she said.

“To achieve that we need to raise £200,000 by Christmas and we’re urging our industry leaders to join together in a unified force to support our community.”

Industry urged to support winter appeal

Lighthouse provides emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support to the construction community across the UK and Ireland. Its services include a confidential 24-hour helpline, one-to-one online chat and a self-support app.

The charity, which has been supporting the industry for 70 years, is asking individuals and businesses to contribute through its Winter Appeal page. The page also explains how donations help workers and families in need.

Construction workers and their families who need help can call 0345 605 1956 in the UK or 1800 939 122 in the Republic of Ireland. Free and confidential support is available 24/7, with online chat available through the charity’s website.

Scafom-rux to launch new VECTA roof and beam system at ScaffEx26

Daniel Norton
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Scafom-rux to launch new VECTA roof and beam system at ScaffEx26

Scafom-rux will unveil a new aluminium temporary roof and beam system at ScaffEx26 next week, with the company claiming its new beam design can achieve clear spans of up to 70 m.

Called VECTA, the system brings temporary roofing and aluminium beams together within a single modular product range.

Scafom-rux says the beams have been designed for use across a number of applications, allowing contractors to use the same components beyond temporary roof structures.

The system will make its public debut at ScaffEx26, which takes place at Manchester Central on 10 and 11 September.

Among the main changes is a new tool-free cam-claw connection for the bracing system, alongside changes intended to make beams and braces easier to store and handle.

Scafom-rux has also developed a smaller Keder profile with water drainage and a redesigned Keder connection aimed at reducing water ingress around joints.

Other parts of the system include a new eaves detail, sheet tensioning that can be carried out after the roof sheeting has been installed, and a combined roof and scaffold support bracket for mobile and static arrangements.

The aluminium beams are likely to be one of the main talking points at the show.

According to Scafom-rux, their higher load capacity allows clear spans of up to 70 m, depending on the design and application.

The company also sees wider use of the beams as an important part of the VECTA concept, giving contractors more potential uses for equipment held in their stock.

Scafom-rux Global Marketing Director Ronny told Scaffmag that VECTA had been developed around the ability to use the same system components across different applications.

Further technical details will be released when the system is formally presented at ScaffEx26.

M R Scaffolding named Access & Scaffolding Specialist of the Year

Daniel Norton
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M R Scaffolding named Access & Scaffolding Specialist of the Year

M R Scaffolding Services has been named Access & Scaffolding Specialist of the Year at the 2026 Construction News Specialists Awards.

The company took the top scaffolding honour at the awards ceremony in London on Thursday night, seeing off competition from Allen & Foxworthy, Brand Access Solutions, Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding, PHD Access and Spencer Bridge Engineering.

Judges praised M R Scaffolding for its clear business strategy, investment in its workforce, approach to social value and innovation, as well as a health and safety culture they said was both personal and embedded throughout the business.

The award marks a significant achievement for the London-based contractor, which delivers scaffolding and access services across a range of commercial and complex projects.

Safety culture stands out

Credit: M R Scaffolding / LinkedIn

Health and safety was a particularly strong element of M R Scaffolding’s entry.

The company has placed considerable emphasis on creating an environment where workers are encouraged to report near misses and speak openly about safety, with Managing Director John Trayfoot drawing on his own experience of a serious fall earlier in his career.

That approach has increasingly become central to the company’s wider culture, alongside investment in people, training and operational improvement.

M R Scaffolding’s 5 Aldermanbury Square project was also shortlisted for Project of the Year in the £1.5m to £3m category.

Blenheim Palace project takes top award

There was further recognition for the scaffolding industry on the night, with Allen & Foxworthy winning Project of the Year, £1.5m–£3m, for its work on the Blenheim Palace roof restoration.

The judges highlighted the innovative scaffolding design used on the historic project and the challenges involved in delivering complex access while the World Heritage Site remained open to visitors.

The entry was also recognised for its approach to skills transfer and a bespoke drainage solution developed as part of the temporary works.

The result adds another major industry accolade to a project that has required extensive temporary access to support one of the most significant restoration programmes undertaken at Blenheim Palace.

Elsewhere, Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding was shortlisted in the Project of the Year under £1.5m category for its Poldhu Project – Storm Goretti.

The Construction News Specialists Awards recognise specialist contractors across the UK construction industry, with categories covering individual trades, projects, innovation, sustainability and business performance.

This year’s ceremony was held at the London Hilton on Park Lane on 3 September.

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