In the West of England, the Shropshire Union Canal Society has been working for over 50 years to restore, protect, and enhance one of Britain's Most beautiful canal networks: the Shropshire Union system.
One of the Society's most ambitious and longest-running projects to date was the restoration of a disused man-made channel on the Montgomery Canal, reconnecting it to the national network and creating over a mile of new navigation.
This 7-year undertaking presented countless environmental and logistical challenges. As the project neared completion, one final hurdle remained: protecting their volunteers during crucial maintenance work on slippery, uneven canal banks.
The team had previously relied on scaffolding to provide access and prevent injury, but the cost – running into the thousands – was proving a barrier to their progress. They needed a new, safer, and more cost-effective alternative.
What solution did the Rollaway provide?
The Shropshire Union Canal Society reached out to the Rollaway team to explore alternative temporary access solutions that would keep their volunteers safe without exhausting the charity's limited resources.
After in-depth discussions, they were reassured that the Rollaway, our portable safety stairs, would meet their needs. Lightweight, durable and quick to deploy, the Rollaway offers improved grip on inclines and declines, helping to significantly reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls in a wide range of outdoor settings.
Time was of the essence. With a local golden brick ceremony fast approaching to mark the end of the restoration, we worked closely with the team to manufacture and deliver the Rollaway units within tight deadlines.
What was the result?
Thanks to the Rollaway, the charity completed their final restoration work safely and on schedule – and in time for the festivities to begin! Their volunteers found the Rollaway easy to use and incredibly effective, and it has quickly caught the attention of other canal and waterway organisations in the region.
Here's some feedback from our customer:
"Thanks for getting the roll-up steps to us - just in time. I reckon they saved the day! Honestly. The steps have already caused interest and having now used them myself I'll be promoting them even more. It is a great product. Hats off!"
We were thrilled to play a small part in helping this passionate volunteer group achieve one of many milestones in the restoration of the region’s waterways. Their success shows what’s possible when experience, dedication, and smart solutions come together.
About the Rollaway
The Rollaway portable safety stairs are an innovative solution for teams working on challenging terrain. Originally designed to help farmers navigate steep ditch banks, the Rollaway has now become an essential tool across civil engineering, rail, environmental, highways and water management sectors.
Lightweight, robust, and highly portable, the Rollaway offers a safe, reliable temporary access solution on muddy, uneven or sloping ground - all at a fraction of the cost of traditional solutions like scaffolding.
Need a safer, faster and more affordable way to access your worksite?
Contact us to tell us more and find out how the Rollaway can support your next project?