July 1st, 2024

Sheffield Heritage Structure Cleaned by Surface Solve Ltd

Heritage Approved Graffiti Removal at Attercliffe Aqueduct

Sadly, in recent times, the Attercliffe Aqueduct has fallen into disrepair and has been subjected to vandalism and graffiti. With ambitious plans afoot to regenerate Attercliffe Waterside, which include provision for new homes, new public spaces and the repurposing of old buildings, the time came for the Attercliffe Aqueduct to undergo its own restoration, including heritage approved graffiti removal.

Working on behalf of Amey Plc, the Go-Gum Group’s subsidiary, Surface Solve Ltd, despatched a team to carefully remove the graffiti affecting the aqueduct, using approved heritage methods.

Scaffolding had already been erected at the site, which allowed our IPAF approved technicians easy access to the historic canal aqueduct facade. This scaffolding remained in situ following the graffiti removal process, to allow for other remedial restoration works to be undertaken.

Working systematically during the course of four days, the Surface Solve team employed the heritage approved, captivated low pressure steam technique, in combination with a heritage approved paint softener. This technique ensured that the graffiti was completely removed, without damaging the Grade II Listed Structure. All of the waste water, chemicals and removed paint were captured and prevented from re-entering the water course.

Attercliffe, the industrial suburb of northeast Sheffield, is located on the south bank of the River Don. This area falls in the Darnall ward of Sheffield City Council and is home to the Attercliffe Aqueduct, also known as the Darnall Canal Aqueduct, a Grade II Listed Heritage Structure which dates back to 1819.

The Darnall Canal is part of the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation, a system of navigable inland waterways consisting of both canals and canalised rivers in South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

Commenting on the Attercliffe Aqueduct graffiti removal project, Go-Gum Managing Director Rob Dixon said: “It was vitally important that the graffiti removal process was sympathetic to the two hundred year old structure. It was also vitally important that the cleaning process was sympathetic to the canal ecosystem and local environment. Our Surface Solve Street Cleaning Teams are well versed in the heritage approved graffiti removal techniques and we were proud to be helping with the regeneration of this historic area of Sheffield.”