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View Full Version : Large crane, Sheffield - July 09 - ARCHIVE



Arkle
07-09-2009, 10:52 PM
I gather there's a proper report of this place somewhere on another site (probably with much better photography), but I thought that I'd post these anyway in case there are others like me who haven't seen it.


I'm sure there are many people who've grown up in Sheffield and quite enjoy living in what's been described as the largest village in the country. It's difficult to pinpoint exactly why it feels like a small-town, but part of it is almost certainly the fact that it's managed without the usual conglomeration of tall buildings in the CBD that seems to form part of the nature of most cities of similar size around the world. There isn't the same sense of claustrophobia walking around Sheffield as you'd get in, say, Manchester.

So it's fair to say that the locals notice when a tower is built in the city centre that is more or less double the height of the other CBD buildings. As now seems to be standard with tall buildings under construction the design has changed a few times during the almost constant negotiations between construction companies and city council, but the tower is at least mostly there now. At 32 stories tall, it will be the tallest structure in Sheffield. But not yet, as that title currently belongs to the crane that is helping to build it.

On impulse I climbed a small crane with a friend a few weeks beforehand just to see what climbing a crane was like. It seemed pretty straightforward and was a lot tamer than expected as the crane was barely taller than surrounding buildings (as the report elsewhere on this site testifies). However the tall crane seemed like it would be more interesting, and more challenging, so we resolved to climb it at some point over the summer.

I went out one night to have a look round the site, to find out how easy or difficult it would be. I spent about an hour checking out the area and figured out what seemed like the best way in. I had intended to wait until I could do it with my friend, but since I was already there I figured I might as well do it there and then.

North Skyline
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss288/Arklepic/stuff/93u.jpg
Looking south
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss288/Arklepic/stuff/98u.jpg
Nearby carpark
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss288/Arklepic/stuff/04u-1.jpg
Station
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss288/Arklepic/stuff/97u.jpg

Wind, rain, camera and poor photography skills combined to make rather a lot of blurred photos, but at least the views I saw were good!

superkev
07-09-2009, 11:05 PM
Very commendable sir!
:thumb

boxfrenzy
08-09-2009, 06:35 AM
That looks very cool indeed, and rather you than me. Good write up too :thumb

Is this the crane?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3444/3353846775_01459b9c46.jpg

Arkle
08-09-2009, 12:09 PM
Yes, although that's an old photo. There is a more recent photo in another Sheffield crane report (the same small crane I mentioned): http://urbexforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4403 Second photo down, the taller crane.