Responding to doubts as to safety of straps round the springs I did some sums and reckoned that they are no more than 20% within reach of their breaking strain. The strain is taken up with the ratchet and the springs compress without any sign of stretching the straps. The springs are not allowed to become decompressed so can go back into place later without any need for juggling with levers or risk of injury.
Later on I hope to put up additional photos of re-assembly showing this to be advantageous.
