From totem poles to giant tea cups – rarely a week goes by without something a little extra-ordinary having to be moved by Sussex Transport. Last week it was the landmark spire from historic Arundel Cathedral! Back in October last year, Sussex Transport assisted in the removal and transportation of the spire when it was taken down for repairs.
When attached the spire reaches a massive 150 feet in the air, so removing it was an engineering feat of delicate precision.
All roads around the cathedral were closed off, and a 250 tonne crane to was maneuvered in to help remove the spire.
A specially designed scaffold was built around the base, due to the structure being unstable, having not been restored since 1970, to successfully remove the spire.
After slowly taking the spire apart, whilst the crane lifted it up, it was safely transported by Sussex Transport to Shepton Mallet for work to begin.
The Gothic Arundel Cathedral was constructed in the 1870s by the fifteenth Duke of Norfolk and Brighton in 1965. It now serves as the seat of the Bishop of Arundel and Brighton.
Sussex Transport delivered the newly refurbished spire back to Arundel where it will be replaced onto the Cathedral roof. It was thought to have been damaged in the storms of 1987 and had been leaking rainwater for quite some time.
Using one of their fleet of HIAB vehicles enabled Sussex Transport to carry out this delicate work accurately and safely – we were proud to be involved in this historic renovation!
