Arup and Laing O’Rourke to conduct full investigation after broken bolt falls to the ground

Cheesegrater - Leadenhall Building

Source: Jason Hawkes

British Land has launched a full investigation into the breakage of two steel bolts at its recently completed 122 Leadenhall Street building, popularly known as the ‘Cheesegrater’.

In a statement the developer said two steel bolts recently broke on the tower, the City of London’s tallest building.

No one was injured in either incident and there is no risk to the structural integrity of the building, British Land said.

The investigation will be carried out by the building’s contractor Laing O’Rourke and structural engineers Arup and an examination is being undertaken of the remaining bolts.

British Land said the bolts connected the nodes on the megaframe, but said the design of the structure “allows for isolated events of this type and do not affect the structural integrity of the building”.

One part of one of the bolts that broke became dislodged and fell to the ground at the side of the building within the hoarding line, British Land said.

An area has been cordoned off around the base of the building while this process is ongoing and the building control department has been notified. 

In its statement British Land said “public safety is our number one priority”, adding that “an update will be provided as soon as we are able”.