Wellington Monument, Blackdown Hills, Somerset

The job:

The National Trust began caring for Wellington Monument in 1934.

Since that time, it has needed careful renovation every 10 to 15 years, an expensive and unsustainable process given its height. To perform a full repair, returning the monument to the stature that was originally intended, and making this special place a more enjoyable place to visit we have a lot of work to do.

The Challenge:

During October 2019 the team took the first step and began erecting the scaffolding which would be in place for the duration of the 18-month construction project. The scaffolding had been specially designed for the monument and was freestanding to ensure the structure was protected. The scaffolding was constructed by Apex and took several months to erect. The plan included a viewing platform at 8 metres high for visitors to experience the view towards the Quantock Hills. Erected using approximately 9 miles of tube, 22000 fittings and 3000 boards, the three-sided scaffold structure was completed by Christmas 2019.