Amrose Associates was appointed to deliver Temporary Works Coordination and technical governance for the external elevation repair works at the Grade 1 listed Victoria Law Courts, on Corporation Street, Birmingham. 

Project Summary

The project forms part of a critical programme of heritage protection and building-envelope stabilisation. The programme of works aims to protect the building from damage by extensive  vegetation growth, particularly buddleia, which has caused ongoing damage to the historic terracotta façade, roof areas, parapets and concealed drainage. Without intervention, this deterioration would have continued to worsen, increasing the risk of water ingress, material decay and falling debris to the surrounding public areas.

The works are being carried out within a fully operational magistrates’ court in a busy city-centre location. This required careful control of safety, access, heritage protection and public interaction throughout the project.

Services provided:

  • Temporary works coordination
  • Structural and access risk management
  • Scaffold design assurance
  • Construction phase technical oversight

The Challenge

Victoria Law Courts is a Grade I listed structure of exceptional architectural and historic significance, requiring all interventions to be carefully planned and executed in accordance with statutory heritage and conservation requirements.

The presence of extensive vegetation growth across roof zones, parapets, hidden gutters and façade elements had resulted in active and progressive damage to the building fabric. Addressing this required comprehensive full-height access to multiple elevations, delivered through complex temporary works solutions.

The constrained urban footprint, bounded by Corporation Street, Newton Street, Steelhouse Lane and Coleridge Passage, further complicated access, logistics and public protection. At the same time, judicial operations needed to continue uninterrupted, placing strict limitations on working methods, sequencing and disruption.

The scale and complexity of the access solution included extensive scaffold structures incorporating protection decks, loading platforms, wind design considerations, and complex tie and buttress arrangements. All works were subject to rigorous planning, conservation and statutory approvals under the Planning (Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and associated heritage policy frameworks.

Our Role

As Temporary Works Coordinator, Amrose Associates provided full technical and procedural leadership in accordance with BS 5975, ensuring the safe design, implementation and ongoing management of all temporary works associated with access, protection and façade repairs.

This began with the establishment and maintenance of the project’s Temporary Works procedures and register, providing a clear governance framework for control, accountability and traceability. We verified the competency and appointment of all temporary works duty holders and maintained formal control of design approvals, change management and handover processes.

A key element of our role was the coordination and independent technical review of the multi-elevation access scaffold designs. This included detailed consideration of wind loading, tie systems, buttressing arrangements and load management, alongside review of structural calculations addressing wind actions, imposed loads, nonlinear load combinations, tie forces and member capacities. All reviews were undertaken in accordance with relevant BS-EN standards and TG20 guidance.

Equally critical was the integration of temporary works design with the building’s heritage constraints. Scaffold layouts, fixing strategies and protection measures were carefully coordinated to ensure that no harm was caused to the historic fabric, while still providing safe and effective access for repair works.

During the construction phase, Amrose Associates maintained active technical oversight on site. This included pre-load inspections and certification of all erected temporary works, implementation of a structured inspection and monitoring regime, and coordination of scaffold modifications as the building fabric was progressively opened up and the scope of repairs evolved.

The Outcome

The project demonstrates Amrose Associates’ capability in delivering robust temporary works coordination within sensitive, high-risk heritage environments. Through clear governance, rigorous design assurance and proactive site oversight, the temporary works have enabled critical façade and roof repairs to proceed safely while judicial operations continue uninterrupted.

The works provide long-term protection to the historic fabric of Victoria Law Courts, reduce risk to the public and ensure full compliance with structural, safety and heritage requirements.

If you’d like to discuss how Amrose Associates can support temporary works coordination, structural risk management or design assurance on your next project, we’d be happy to talk. Ask Amrose: Email enquiries@amroseassociates.com or call 0113 391 9840