Environment Agency Safe Access to Remote Work Sites – GRP Steps, Stairs and Fences

Summary

Working at various sites around the country we have been approached to carry out surveys specific to everyday access issues encountered by field operatives, often in remote locations where reaching the site is not always straightforward.

In one scenario, crumbling concrete steps on a riverbank access route had become hazardous and were beyond use. We were asked by the client to offer an engineered design and build service to replace this with a fibreglass embankment staircase with guardrail. Access to this area also required a section of palisade security fence and lockable gate (also in built in GRP) installing alongside and down the bank from a main trunk road.

The existing concrete steps, handrail and fence were removed by the client prior to our arrival onsite. The client also completed their own survey to ascertain the presence of any buried services, prior to the commencement of works. Conveying heavy traditional building materials to this type of site would be problematic without the expensive and time-consuming provision of specialist lifting equipment, but fibreglass made this possible to move easily by hand. The total time for the installation was just four days, with three operatives.

Shorter length fixed access steps to equipment, storage facilities or on uneven ground are also widely used and provide a durable, long life alternative to wooden structures. Our products incorporate a high-quality, anti-slip coating on all step treads – vital for their safe use in all weather conditions. These small structures are bespoke made with ‘like for like’ dimensions as direct replacements and can be fitted by our own staff.

Beyond this we are also experienced at building small pedestrian footbridges, typically up to 8m in length. Again, these have proven themselves in service across ditches and becks, either as replacement for end of life steel structures or in the provision of new safe access routes

These works were completed by our in-house fabrications & installation teams working from our base in Selby, North Yorkshire. We offer a complete service to build the products, deliver them to site throughout the UK and assemble in-situ.