Our history
Vertical Access Limited was established in 1988, aiming to develop industrial rope access methods and apply them to various commercial and industrial projects. Under the guidance of its two Directors, (Paul Braithwaite and Paul Bingham) the company quickly became one of Britain's leading industrial rope access companies. To this day, we are still committed to providing a fast and personal response to meet the needs of our clients.
Although we now use a variety of access systems, rope access is still at the heart of our operations. All Vertical Access personnel are trained and assessed using the IRATA training scheme, which maintains our skills as access specialists.
timeline
1988
The Company is Founded
First incorporated as Skyline Ltd
1988
First Contract
Our first contract as a company was wrapping the exterior of the Barclays Head Office in London in a celebratory ribbon
1989
Changed name to Vertical Access Ltd
The Company Name changed from Skyline Ltd to Vertical Access Ltd
1989
First Contract on a Rail Structure
Our first rail structure contract was shotblasting the stonework piers on Stockport's Rail Viaduct
1990
First Contract with Manchester United F.C.
Our first job for Manchester United was installing the outside banners for the Rugby League Final. This job established us with MUFC, where we quickly became their Go-to Working-at-Height contractor, a relationship that continues to this date [over 34 years].
1991
Vertical Access' First Big Contract
Our 1st big contract was for Greenwich Council, conducting High Rise Concrete Repairs & Anti-Carbonation Coating around Woolwich Housing Projects
1992
Our First Geotechnical Contract
Our 1st Geotechnical contract was for Bury Council, installing Rock Anchors, Mesh & Rebuilding a stonewall in Summerseat
1993
Our First Set of Contracts on the Railway
Our first set of contracts on the railway was completing Devegetation, Geotechnical and Shotcrete works on Olive Mount & Lime Street Cuttings for British Rail
1994
Manchester United Maintenance Contracts
This was the start of a series of maintenance contracts at Old Trafford, which included Steelwork recoating, installing new roof fixings and installed Cradle platforms designed by Vertical Access
1995
Highly Complex Installation Contract
Installation of 1.1km steel pipe for fibre optic cables on Runcorn Bridge, designed by WS Atkins. Our team provided detailed measurements and installation input
1997
Nuclear Reactor & Turbine Buildings Project
This began our work within the Nuclear Sector, where we were tasked with conducting DPI & NDT works on Reactor & Turbine Buildings across three Nuclear Power Station sites for MAGNOX
1996
Arndale Centre Bombing
We were part of the team, challenged with inspecting the bomb-damaged Arndale Centre, C&A and M&S Buildings via Rope Access and MEWP
1998
Tayroad Bridge Concrete Cathodic Protection System Installation
We supplied and installed a Concrete Cathodic Protection System on Tay Road Bridge in Dundee, Scotland
1999
Inspection of Nuclear Transport Loading Cranes
We conducted NDT Inspections across Barrow Nuclear Power Station's Nuclear Transport Loading Cranes
2000
Wylfa Nuclear Power Station Project
We were tasked with renewing the Water Intake Pipe at Wylfa Nuclear Power Station in North Wales
2001
Chepstow Castle Wall Repair
We began our work within the Heritage Sector by conducting wall repairs at Chepstow Castle, we also stabilised an ancient monument rock face
2002
Bradwell Nuclear Power Station Project
We designed & installed Crane Safety Systems, replaced Smoke Ventilation Ouvres & Recoated the Reactor Charge Halls at Bradwell Nuclear Power Station
2003
Champions League Final
We installed the event banners for the Juventus vs A.C. Milan Champions League Final at Old Trafford in 2003
2004
Heathrow Airport Concorde Hangar Project
We installed Fire Suppression Systems across several Hangar Roofs, including the iconic Concorde Hangar at Heathrow Airport
2005
Railtrack High-Risk Rock Cuttings
Our Geotechnical Team worked on 15 Railtrack rock & soil cuttings across the Midlands and North West of England
2006
High-Rise Framework Inspection & Repair Contract
We won a 3-year Contract with Gallions & Axis Housing Association to inspect and repair their High-Rise Framework in Thamesmead
2007
High-Rise External Cladding & Insulation Project
We installed High-Rise External Cladding & Insulation over Meshing and Refixing to six residential buildings in Bootle, Liverpool
2008
Wylfa Nuclear Power Station
We conducted inspections across Wylfa Nuclear Power Station's Pump House, Jetty & also carried out Reactor 2 Outage Works, which led to the team winning an award for their work
2009
Silver Jubilee Bridge
In 2009, we installed lighting systems and repaired the cables across the Silver Jubilee Bridge in Runcorn
2010
Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station
We conducted Cladding Repairs & Glazing Replacement works at Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station in Nottinghamshire
2011
Premier League 4G Antennae Installation
Working with Villicom, we installed several 4G Antennae across Premier League Football Stadiums
2012
Dore South Cutting Stabilisation
Our Geotechnical Team installed Soil Nails, Face Mesh & Portal Rock Barrier Mesh along the Dore Cutting in South Sheffield for CML
2013
Loch Katrine Hydro Project
Our Geotechnical Team & Confined Space Teams installed Structural Rock Anchors within the Loch Katrine Tunnels & Pipes in Scotland
2014
Llanfoist Canal & Coseley Cutting
Our Geotechnical Team installed Platipus Anchors, Soil Nails & Mesh around the Llanfoist Canal & Coseley Cutting for CPC Civils across Wales and England
2015
Harbury Cutting Emergency
Vertical Access, alongside Murphy was part of the team to quickly stabilise the cutting after a landslide had caused the failure of the embankment. Our Geotechnical Team carried out emergency works such as Soil Nailing, Meshing & Portal Brickwork
2016
Telecom Inspection & Repair Framework
Our Structural Team was tasked with inspecting & repairing the Telecom Framework across several UK sites, including BT's Head Office in London
2017
Peth Heath Slope Stabilisation
This Slope Stabilisation for Karbon Homes was a Vertical Access Design & Build Project on a Housing Association Site in Hexham
2018
Heathrow Airport Coating Project
Working with the Morgan Sindall Company, we had the great opportunity to work on the Heathrow Airport Control Tower. Our Structural Coatings Team were challenged with coating the exterior of the tower, which was a great Rope Access access project for the company
2019
Liverpool Lime Street Cutting
Working on the Lime St Cutting, Vertical Access Ltd was part of the electrification of the rail track. This included the installation of OLE Renewal 500+ Resin Anchors, 100 Steel Brackets, Electric Cabling & Stonework Repairs. This project later won two awards for 'Putting Passengers First' and 'Best Collaboration'
2020
Rail Infrastructure Supplier
Working with Murphy for Network Rail, Vertical Access was appointed as key supplier under the COVID-19 regulations. Our team conducted Slope Stabilisation Projects, Stone Wall Rebuilds and other Geotechnical work across 40 sites throughout the North West of England
2021
Old Trafford Stadium Floodlights
We were tasked with installing Floodlights around Old Trafford Football Stadium. The lighting was undertaken in accordance to UEFA Champions League Standards
2022
Major Network Rail Project
In 2022, Vertical Access was awarded the contract to stabilise the South Cutting Slope in Chorley, Lancashire. The Slope Stabilisation Project included installing x2000 Soil Nails, 10,000m2 Mesh, Slope Drainage, Access Steps & Handrails
2023
River Aire Flood Alleviation Scheme
Working for BAM, our Geotechnical Team was tasked with installing a Flood Alleviation Scheme on the River Aire in Leeds. This included installing Platipus Earth Anchors, which were supporting steel piles. We conducted the works by working from a pontoon on the river to install the Anchors underneath the existing rail infrastructure
2024
Manchester Town Hall
Our Structural Team was part of the Manchester Town Hall Restoration Project. Vertical Access designed & installed Belfry Platform Access Systems and other installation & repair works on the Clock Tower
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