Thanks Red. Have posted some hopefully clearer pictures from another camera - perhaps this might clarify as to wether the beam can be removed as proposed.
Hi Space and Mr G. No those are boxes covered in green bin bags. The beam sits on top of the joists which are not cut underneath the beam. The beam is running in the same line as walls in the bedrooms, so the walls support the joists and not the beam.
I have done a pic with proposed cut as...
Afternoon guys. Please see pictures below.
Basically what I want to do is remove part of the large beam which spans across the loft joists to within 2 ft of the beam upright location. I would cut in line with the joist next to the upright location point and brace onto the joist there...