St Andrew’s Church Bebbington Restoration

15 Apr

Client	St Andrews Church PCC
Structural Engineer	Clive Hayward

Project Architect

Bryan Martin

Our restoration of St Andrew’s Church in Bebington, a Grade I listed landmark on the Wirral, was delivered in two major phases:

a 600m² heritage re-roofing project with the installation of 6 tonnes of leadwork to valleys done in 2018, then followed 4 years later with extensive repointing and masonry repairs to the church’s tower and 130-foot spire. The scale and sensitivity of the works required specialist heritage knowledge, advanced scaffolding solutions, and close stakeholder coordination.

The tower project demanded the design and construction of a complex cantilever scaffold to allow safe access to the church’s tall spire. Our experience in structural scaffolding design and temporary works ensured a stable and efficient platforms for detailed masonry repairs at height, with full compliance to health and safety standards.

A key challenge of the roofing phase was the absence of a full temporary roof, due to budget limitations. Despite this, our team maintained a dry internal environment throughout the project by expertly applying temporary sheeting techniques while carrying out timber repairs and re-roofing all 12 roof slopes done in random West Moorland blues. This demonstrated our ability to balance cost-effectiveness with preservation of the building’s internal fabric.

The restoration of the tower also included skilled stonework repairs and included replacement of lucarne window surrounds and tracery. These elements were carefully hand profiled in Whitton Fell stone by our expert banker masons, matching the original profiles and ensuring architectural authenticity. Our use of traditional materials and heritage craftsmanship ensured the church’s historic character was fully respected and preserved.

Safety was a central priority throughout. We implemented robust safety measures, including the use of our own platform goods hoist for lifting materials and waste. Additional site security protocols were introduced to safeguard both the public and workers during the works.

Collaboration played a key role in these project’s success. We worked closely with the appointed architects, surveyors, and church management to ensure all stakeholder requirements were met. Our strategic planning and effective communication also helped keep the church operational throughout the project, allowing ongoing public access and ensuring that works remained on schedule with minimal disruption.