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A complex night-time lifting operation at the K037 Guildford Resilience Project was successfully completed on Thursday evening, as Ainscough Crane Hire’s Heavy Lifting Team safely positioned the new Pewley Containerised Motor Control Centre (MCC) on site. The lift, performed using Ainscough’s 450‑tonne mobile crane, took place at approximately 21:00 following a day of weather delays.
The operation was overseen by Appointed Person Bjorn Sprake, with on‑site execution led by Supervisor Kevin Scott and the wider Heavy Lifting Team. Despite challenging conditions earlier in the day, the team mobilised again at 19:30 after wind speeds dropped sufficiently to allow the lift to proceed safely.
According to Nial Cassey of Galliford Try, Project Manager the evening operation was the result of rapid adaptation and careful judgement: “This evening’s ‘shot in the dark’ became necessary after the crane was winded off this morning. I’m pleased to say our amateur weather forecasting proved spot on, with wind speeds dropping shortly after we reconvened on site, allowing us to successfully complete the lift.”
The safe placement of the MCC marks a key milestone in the ongoing resilience project, which has involved months of detailed planning, coordination, and rigorous safety management.
Cassey praised the collective effort behind the achievement: “This evening’s success is a clear testament to the huge team effort over the past months of planning, coordination, and professionalism. My sincere thanks go to everyone for making this happen.”
The team will now move into the next phase of work, with the crane due to be de‑rigged and demobilised from the site throughout the following day.
A striking night‑time photograph taken during the operation shows the illuminated 450t crane performing the precision lift against a dark sky, highlighting both the scale and the technical complexity of the task.
Cassey concluded: “Everyone involved has played a part in tonight’s success—thank you all.”
The project continues to progress towards its next major stages, with the successful installation of the MCC representing another significant step forward for resilience and infrastructure improvements in the Guildford area.
