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Since 1996, Edinburgh’s Usher Hall – one of the world’s most outstanding concert venues – has been undergoing a £30 million pound renovation. As the extensive project neared completion, leading waterproofing and roofing specialist, BriggsAmasco, was appointed to install a new roofing system and complete an overhaul of the existing roofs at the landmark building.

Refurbishment began in 1998 with the renewal of electrical systems, installation of new ventilation and heating systems and the repair and redecoration of the auditorium and foyer. Following additional funding of £11 million, Phase II in the venue’s regeneration commenced in 1999 with the upgrading of existing facilities, plus the construction of a new wing, leading to the requirement for new roofs.

A strikingly elegant building, Usher Hall is located on Lothian Road, in the busy financial district of Edinburgh. It is surrounded by occupied office buildings and theatres, which presented logistical challenges to BriggsAmasco. The company overcame these by utilising two fast-application, non-intrusive roofing systems to cause minimal disruption to local residents.

The project included a high specification redevelopment at the building’s front of house, including a new flat-roof waterproofing system. For this, the company installed mastic asphalt roofing to provide long-term performance, durability and a fast installation process.

For the new-build part of the project, a Sarnafil single ply membrane flat roof was specified to provide a subservient extension to the main hall. Again, long-term performance was a key feature in its specification with the quick and simple application ensuring the project met the client’s aesthetic and timescale demands.

Overcoming severe challenges, including access and noise issues caused by its city-centre location, BriggsAmasco provided outstanding workmanship to deliver a high performance roofing system and complete all aspects of the project to the very highest standard.

Now the roofing application is complete, the sympathetic redevelopment has embraced the building’s existing architecture whilst bringing the roof up to contemporary standards. Set to house some of the world’s most famous performers – including Don McLean, Ray Davies and Led Zeppelin – the roofs at Usher Hall are guaranteed to provide excellent protection from the elements, for the performers, staff and the audience.

Leading waterproofing specialist, BriggsAmasco, has begun resurfacing works at Kings Cross Station, improving platforms and walkways, as part of the station’s wider redevelopment programme.

A team of eight BriggsAmasco operatives and managers are carrying out works throughout the night on a shift basis over a three month period. Using a mastic asphalt system laid across concrete floor slabs, platforms one to eight will each benefit from new surfaces, following removal of any existing asphalt.

The new asphalt has been mixed with luminous sand which provides both an aesthetically pleasing finish whilst offering a good foot grip and finish. Work by BriggsAmasco is being carried out in rotation with other trades and close communication and a flexible approach by the wider project team is key to the ongoing success of this scheme.

These works form part of a wider programme which will see King’s Cross transformed into a world class transport hub which can meet future demand and offer the best facilities for passengers. The Department for Transport is investing over £500 million in the station, which is owned and managed by Network Rail.

BriggsAmasco operate a London branch and all staff involved in this scheme live and work locally. The company continues to utilise mastic asphalt as one its key solutions, specifying this robust and hard wearing system at projects with a focus on roofs, car parks, walksways, bridges and transport platforms.

Nick Kershaw of BriggsAmasco said: “This is one of the busiest stations in Europe and planning has been an imperative factor in the continued success of this scheme. Work is being carried out on each platform separately to avoid closure across more than one platform at a time and so our involvement in the project has been carried out on a rotational basis. Mastic asphalt has been specified here as it is an incredibly hard wearing system that will provide a tough and durable surface for many years to come.”

Briggs Amasco Ltd, the UK’s leading roofing and waterproofing specialist, is one of the latest group of successful companies to join a leading edge scheme designed to help industry improve its safety record.

The national roofing and waterproofing company with its head office at Cradley Heath, West Midlands, has received accreditation from Safe contractor, a programme which recognises very high standards of health and safety.

Employing 350 people and principally involved in roofing and waterproofing, BriggsAmasco has one of the best health and safety records in the country and is totally committed to best practice in every part of its business.

Specialising in the commercial and industry sector as well as schools, railways, car parks  and with a £38 million turnover, BriggsAmasco’s most recent clients have included major players such as Marks and Spencer, Bovis Lend lease,  Willmott Dixon and many more.

Mark Flello, BriggsAmasco’s Northern Safety Advisor commented: “Health and Safety is key to the success of our business and we have always been committed to achieving the highest possible standards in every part of our business so we are naturally delighted to receive this accreditation from SAFEcontractor.”

The accreditation is expected to enhance the company’s ability to attract new customers and its commitment to safety is likely to be viewed positively by its insurers when the company liability policy is up for renewal.

John Kinge, Head of Risk at SAFEcontractor said, “major organisations can no longer run the risk of employing contractors who are not able to prove that they have sound health and safety policies”.

“More companies need to understand the importance of adopting good risk management in the way that BriggsAmasco has done. The firm’s high standard has set an example, which hopefully will be followed by other companies within the sector”.

Under the SAFEcontractor system, businesses undergo a vetting process, which examines health and safety procedures and their track record for safe practice.

Those companies meeting the high standard are included on a database, which is accessible to registered users only via a website www.safecontractor.com.

Employer-organisations who sign up to the scheme can access the database, which enables them to vet potential contractors before they even set foot on site. These employers agree that, as users of the scheme, they will engage only those who have received accreditation.

Over one hundred and twenty major nationwide businesses, from several key industry sectors, have signed up to use the scheme when selecting contractors for services such as building, cleaning, maintenance, refurbishment or electrical and mechanical work.