National Pile Croppers is supporting Alwoodley Civils on a challenging city centre development in York, where a new boutique hotel is being constructed while preserving the original 1920s façade of the existing building.
Located on Piccadilly in the heart of the historic city, the project presents a number of unique challenges. Alongside the preservation of the former hotel façade, the site also contains walls dating back to Roman times, requiring careful management throughout the construction process.
Alwoodley Civils, which is responsible for all groundworks up to foundation level, has once again partnered with National Pile Croppers to provide specialist pile cropping equipment and technical support. Following site visits and assessments, National Pile Croppers supplied both its Quad and CFA pile croppers to assist with the project.
The development involves the cropping of 350mm concrete piles within a highly restricted working environment. The Quad cropper was selected for its compact footprint and ability to operate effectively in confined spaces, while the CFA cropper provides additional flexibility through its modular design, allowing it to be adjusted for different pile diameters.
Scott Fitchett, Sales Director at National Pile Croppers, said the Quad cropper offers significant productivity and safety benefits through its synchronised hydraulic system and ability to safely retain the cropped concrete section during operation.
Despite the constraints of the city centre location and the need to protect historically significant remains, pile cropping has been progressing efficiently, with between 10 and 15 piles being completed each day.
National Pile Croppers continues to provide on site support throughout the project, helping Alwoodley Civils deliver the works safely and efficiently. Groundworks are expected to be completed by August 2026, with the finished development combining modern hotel facilities with an important piece of York’s architectural heritage.
