The best seat in Exeter!
Crane operator Colin Moore tells us what life is like when your office has a birds eye view of Exeter.
As commutes go Colin Moore's vertical climb of 150 steps to his 'office', is certainly unusual. For Colin works for ISG and operates the 80 metre high crane assembled to help in the regeneration of the Guildhall Shopping Centre to create the Queen St Dining Quarter.
Colin's office is the cab of a Luffing Jib Tower Crane, which was put in place at the end of July.
His work space is just 5ft long and 4ft wide and he sits 30 metres above central Exeter, with fantastic views not only of the city skyline but also a panorama that takes in the Exe Estuary, Haldon Hill and across to mid Devon.
He may be alone up there but he is in constant contact with ISG colleagues on the ground by radio, who give directions for each manoeuvre. Inside the cab, Colin has a bank of screens connected to cutting edge technology which gives information on load weights, hook heights and maximum possible lift which in this case is 4 tonnes in total. The crane can operate up to wind speeds of 38mph so there is also an display for the anemometer.
The crane has a special safety 'zoning system' in place which means loads can only be lifted above the site itself and not over public circulation areas. The top of the crane, which will be in situ for the next four months, is over twice the height of the Cathedral tower and
is becoming a familiar Exeter city landmark.
We caught up with Colin on site of the emerging Queen St Dining Quarter during one of his breaks to ask him a few questions about life at the top.
When you were growing up did you want to be crane driver?
As a kids I always wanted to be in the Army and I achieved that ambition, so crane driving is my second career. When I came out of the forces I worked on the railways as a banksman for the cranes then after a few years I did my crane training.
How long have you been a crane operator and how long have you worked for ISG?
I've been crane driver for 20 years and I'm contracted to ISG for 6 – 7 months.
How long does it take you to climb the 150 steps to your office?
It takes 20 minutes to climb up as I have to undertake daily checks on the way up to check the base for any signs of movement, that bolts are secure and general visual checks of the mast sections.
What things do you take up with you?
I take water, a snack, a newspaper and a book.
What sort of things are you lifting / moving on site?
My main role is to lift and lower in new steel frames to extend the existing concrete framed units, so new floors and roof top terraced areas can be created. I'm also lifting in stairs, metal decking, planks, curtain walling, roofing materials to name just a few.
Do you ever find it lonely?
No, if you are busy the time just flies by! From where I sit at moment there is always something going on.
Do you spent the whole day up there?
I come down for my two breaks. It's not quite so far compared to the tallest crane I have ever operated, a 95 metre high Potain crane on a hospital project in Oxford.
When you are waiting for instructions from the banksman over the radio what do you do pass the time?
I read the paper and then move onto my book, I'm currently reading the Lord of the Rings trilogy, I'm on volume 2. People usually assume we listen to the radio but for safety reasons the only voice we hear is that of the banksman.
What advice would you give to anyone who is thinking about training to be a crane operator?
Working as a 'sling signaller' first will give you the best experience of how cranes work then go for your training, ideally find a sponsor if you can, to get you through your Construction Plant Competency Scheme (CPCS) licence.
Have you ever seen anything unusual from your unique vantage point?
Recently I was working in Bristol when the annual Balloon Festival was on and about 40 or 50 hot air balloons went up, that was great. A while back I was working on Plymouth Hoe and the Red Arrows were doing a display, I had the best seat in the house!
You have been on site for a few weeks now, what is your favourite thing about Exeter?
I get to go home every night after work (I live in Plymouth), it’s a rare treat as I'm used to working away so much.
ISG was awarded the contract by Aviva Investors to create the unique dining destination in the heart of Exeter earlier in the year. The £12 million project sees the redevelopment of the neo-classical Guildhall in the city’s cultural quarter into a series of high-specification
restaurants, as well as the reconfiguration and improvement of public realm space.
So far Aviva have revealed the names of the first four restaurants as Turtle Bay, The Stable, The Terrace – A Craft Brew Bar and Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK), the remaining four will be announced by Aviva in the coming months.
For further information visit: www.queenst-exeter.com
