Park users benefit from increased safety following new handrail installation in South Normanton

Working nationwide has enabled Alpha Rail to be involved in countless projects up and down the country. However, it always comes as a refreshing change to work closer to our home here in the East Midlands, knowing that our metalwork will benefit the local community for years to come.

South Street Recreation Ground located in South Normanton, Derbyshire, and is owned by South Normanton Parish Council. It is an open space featuring a children’s play area and skate park. There is a path leading through the park that is frequently used by local people, a large number of them being elderly, either accessing the Recreation Ground or simply cutting through as a shortcut. Along the path is a very steep gradient that can potentially become dangerous in harsh weather conditions.

As a safety measure for the users of the path, South Normanton Parish Council identified a need for the installation of a metal handrail along this section. This would ensure that people can safely travel along the path that may otherwise become slippery during rain, snow or ice. This also applies in the opposite direction, where people may need some assistance in getting up the slope.

Following an s106 contribution from a local housing development, Alpha Rail was contacted by Bolsover District Council on behalf of the Parish Council to supply and install 42 linear metres of 900mm high single cantilever handrail along the path, which was hot dipped galvanised as standard followed by a polyester powder coated finish in RAL 6005 Moss Green.

With the metalwork being installed on a gradient as well as a curve, an in-depth site survey was required in order to capture vital data from the path. Following the survey, a bespoke handrail was installed to closely follow the shape of the path, allowing for ease of use by the public.

Matt Connley, Special Projects Officer at Bolsover District Council commented: “After a recommendation from one of my work contacts, we visited the Alpha Rail website and soon found that their ability to offer bespoke solutions for projects like ours was exactly what we needed. It was an added bonus that the site was so local, making it easy to visit. From the initial site meeting through to completion, the project was completed quickly and efficiently. The installed product looks fantastic and will be greatly appreciated by the public.

Clerk to South Normanton Parish Council, Lisa Powell added: “The Parish Council has received a lot of positive comments from the public in regard to the new handrail. On a personal note I would like to say how impressed I was at the speed of which the work was completed – we prioritise the safety and wellbeing of the community and speed was key for this project.”