Roof collar moving/removing

[worthywow]

Hi! I'm planning on boarding our extension loft - we have a small access gap from the old roof space into the new space but there is a collar just in the way.

The collar can be seen in the first and second picture (just in from of the white polystyrene).

There is a (what looks to me) horrible join in the collar (see second photo) that doesn't seem structurally sound! It is quite flexible and doesn't seem under strain/compression.

There is a second collar slightly higher up (third photo) and in the middle of the roof what looks like a fairly substantial box frame (fourth and fifth photo).

I'll probably get structural advice but I have a couple of questions that would appreciate any thoughts on :

1) The collar in question is in thinner wood and with the horrible joint I wonder if was just a temporary fixing?
2) The box frame in the centre does look strong with diagonal beams so looks like it will prevent compression/spread ... or won't it?!

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Cheers,

Richard

 

[noseall]

That is bracing and isn't doing a fat lot. I cant see how a pair of well fixed lay-boards are going to spread, lol.

 

[worthywow]

Many thanks for your reply - you've caught on I'm not a roofing expert

So just checking if the roof rafters are fixed well on to the lay-board (picture 2 above) then the flimsy collar is not doing much?!

 

[noseall]

Many thanks for your reply - you've caught on I'm not a roofing expert

So just checking if the roof rafters are fixed well on to the lay-board (picture 2 above) then the flimsy collar is not doing much?!

It's not doing anything.