T.M.Taylor - R.S.P.C.A. Kennels

R.S.P.C.A. Kennels - Warrington Branch
Slutchers Lane, Warrington



Our company was delighted in being awarded the contract to construct the dog kennels, this was achieved on a competetive tender basis.


The new kennels, designed by J.M. & P Architects of Palmyra Square Chambers, Warrington proved to be more of a challenge than was anticipated. The site on Slutchers lane, which is to the west of the main North - South Railway line, has restricted access including a 3 metre high bridge. However, with the general co-coperation of Mr Burgess of INEOS Silicas Ltd., this problem was overcome by utilising their existing access including a private road bridge across the river.

Closely following the design of structural engineer R.G. Knowles, and constantly under the watchful eye of the old cantelever transporter bridge built as a crossing point for the river mersey in 1916, we soon discovered the ground strata was not as anticipated. It was intended to build the kennels on 10 metre deep piles but during the piling process by Van Elle - Specialist Piling Engineers, it soon became apparent that the drilling had to be extended to 17 metres (58 ft) almost to the depth of the River Mersey bed itself. As can be seen from these photographs, 20 tons of re-enforcing steel and over 100 cubic metres of concrete was needed to gain a solid foundation upon which to build.


With current legislation in mind part of the project was to supply and install a Camplas cesspool with a capacity of 27000 litres and as can be seen from these photographs this alone was quite a challenge. With a tank of 2.5 metres in diameter and 6.3 metres in length the cesspool was larger than our on site storage container and was laid 1.5 metres below ground level.


Photograph showing site foreman Dennis Fletcher on a dull afternoon in mid construction.


Following the foundation work things progressed well. Up went the steel fabricated framework, incorporating modern insulated roof cladding and decorative concrete blockwork. With the internal fittings finally installed the project was a huge success and was handed over to the R.S.P.C.A. on time and to everyone's satisfaction.