Boom and scissor lifts from Nationwide are on hire to contractors painting a new roof which is being installed at Preston Railway Station.

The seven powered access units are working within a strict timetable to ensure that the installation and decorating work is done without disruption to passengers or train services.

All high level painting is carried out between midnight and 4.15 am when trains are not running, and no more than two platforms are used at any one time.

The main contractors, C Spencer Ltd of Barrow, are installing the new roof in a project due to be completed in Spring 2001. They have minimised any inconvenience to passengers by using rope access and safety nets to work on the roof, rather than bringing in bulky scaffolding. Alfred Bagnall Sons of Ellesmere Port are carrying out the painting work on a phased basis as each new section goes into place.

Nationwide X32 electric scissor lifts with an 11.75m working height are on site, together with Z45 diesel and bi-energy boom lifts with working heights of 15.91m. The boom lifts have an outreach of 7m and can rotate through 359 degrees for added flexibility.

The machines were driven up the rail tracks on sleepers to get to the platforms and are lifted by crane between platforms.

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Issued by Phoenix Public Relations (01482) 219898.