PROTECTING HISTORY: LOWPRO 15/05 ROAD PLATE
AT ST CATHERINE’S COLLEGE

INTRODUCTION

St Catherine’s College, a prominent part of Oxford’s architectural heritage, embarked on a sensitive renovation project requiring a unique approach to scaffold stability. Due to the listed status of the buildings, conventional scaffold ties into the structure were prohibited. The solution? A ground-based load-spreading system that would protect both the building’s structural integrity and delicate surrounding features.

 

THE CHALLENGE

As a listed building, using tie-in points to the building for the scaffold frame was not an option; therefore, the scaffold had to transfer all bracing forces to the ground. The soft terrain around the building furthercomplicated matters, necessitating a system that could distribute heavy point loads safely across a wider surface area. Additionally, the use of Monoflex sheeting on the scaffold to contain dustand debris increased wind loadings, amplifying the importance of a robust load management solution.

Each scaffold standard (vertical tube) had the potential to exert up to 9 tonnes of force onto the ground. In certain sensitive zones, such as listed stone floor slabs, further protection was essential to prevent permanent damage.

 

SOLUTION: LOWPRO 15/05 ROAD PLATES AS SCAFFOLD LOAD SPREADERS

Beard Construction, working closely with scaffolding subcontractor Lee Marley Brickwork and distributor Hermeq, deployed 880 units of LowPro 15/05 Road Plates across the site. Paired with railway sleepers, the LowPro plates formed an effective load-spreading system that ensured scaffold standards were safely braced solely from ground level.

The LowPro 15/05 Road Plate was specified by the project’s Temporary Works Engineer as the optimal solution due to its superior load distribution characteristics and compliance with the unique constraints of working on a Grade I listed property.

In critical areas, the plates were also employed to shield delicate listed features from potential damage caused by scaffold loading.

 

BEARD CONSTRUCTION – A COMMITMENT TO CRAFTSMANSHIP AND CARE

Beard Construction is an award-winning, family-owned contractor known for delivering high-quality new build, refurbishment, and restoration projects across Southern England. With a reputation for meticulous craftsmanship, Beard’s approach to heritage sites emphasises both structural integrity and sympathetic restoration.

— [Charlie Gostling, Assistant Site Manager, Beard Construction]

 

HERMEQ – SUPPLYING SMART SOLUTIONS TO COMPLEX PROBLEMS

Hermeq, a specialist distributor of site safety and temporary works products, played a crucial role in specifying and supplying the LowPro 15/05 system to meet the project’s demands. Their expertise ensured that the right product was delivered promptly and configured for the site’s sensitive conditions.

— [Ben Buckley, Sales Director, HERMEQ]

 

OXFORD PLASTICS – PRODUCT MANUFACTURER

Oxford Plastics is a UK-based manufacturer of innovative, high-performance ground protection, road safety, and temporary works solutions. With a focus on sustainable materials and user-focused design, Oxford Plastics develops products that solve real-world problems across construction, utilities, and infrastructure projects. The LowPro range of composite road plates is engineered to offer superior load-bearing capacity, safer handling, and minimal disruption to sensitive environments.

— [Charlotte Whiteley, Sales & Marketing Director, Oxford Plastics]

 

OUTCOME: SAFE, NON-INVASIVE SCAFFOLD SUPPORT FOR A HISTORIC ICON

The use of LowPro 15/05 Road Plates allowed the scaffolding team to erect a fully free-standing structure without compromising the listed fabric of St Catherine’s College. The system effectively spread heavy loads across soft ground and protected historic flooring, all while withstanding increased wind loadings due to environmental protection measures.

This case demonstrates the LowPro 15/05’s versatility not only as a trench cover but as a critical load-spreading solution in highly sensitive construction environments.

 

 

Last updated: October, 2025