Rutland Cranes was appointed to deliver a full contract lift for a glazing contractor installing six skylights on a terraced property in North West London. With no access for spider cranes and the property located in a densely builtup residential area, the lift required a mobile crane, full traffic management, footpath closure, and parking bay suspension to ensure safe and legal operation.
The Challenge
Working in London always brings complexity, but this project presented several specific challenges:
- No access for compact cranes, making a mobile crane the only viable option
- Tight residential street requiring road space, footpath closure, and controlled pedestrian movement
- Strict council requirements for permits, parking suspensions, and traffic management
- High risk of unauthorised parking despite official suspensions
- A lift that could not be delayed due to glass delivery and contractor scheduling
Despite weeks of planning, the biggest challenge appeared on the day itself.
The Unexpected Obstacle
When the team arrived at 7am — crane, traffic management crew, lifting team, glaziers, and HGV loaded with glass — they discovered a car parked directly in the middle of the designated crane standing area, completely ignoring the legally enforced parking suspension.
Without control of the working zone, the lift would have been impossible.
Our Solution
Because Rutland Cranes had arranged all required permits, including:
- Parking bay suspension
- Footpath closure
- Traffic management
- Crane licence
We had full legal authority over the working area.
One phone call to the local council’s enforcement team was all it took.Within an hour, the vehicle was removed and the site was handed back to us.
The lift proceeded safely, efficiently, and without delay.
Equipment Used
- Mobile Crane (urbanfriendly configuration with limited footprint)
- Glass vacuum lifter for skylight installation
- Multi Mats System to reduce outrigger pressure on the pavement
- Full traffic management setup
The Outcome
- All six skylights installed on time and without compromise
- Zero safety incidents
- No disruption to the public thanks to controlled traffic management
- Client extremely satisfied with the professionalism and problem solving
- A perfect example of why legal compliance is essential in lifting operations
Why Compliance Matters
In the last 12 moths, Rutland Cranes has been asked to undertake many similar lifts in London.
Too often we hear:
- “It’s just one lift, can’t you do it quickly?”
- “Do we really need all these permits?”
- “Another crane company said they don’t need this nonsense.”
This case study proves the opposite.
Without the “legal nonsense,” the entire job would have collapsed.
The client would have been left with a tarpaulin over their extension for Christmas — and no recourse.
With the correct permits in place, we controlled the working area, protected the public, and ensured the lift went ahead exactly as planned.
This is why Rutland Cranes will never cut corners.
Compliance isn’t bureaucracy — it’s what guarantees the job gets done.
