Ley Hill

Ley Hill, located in South-West Birmingham, is currently undergoing a major process of regeneration and renewal, which encompasses the modernisation of local community facilities.

To achieve this, contractors turned to Alpha Rail, the specialist metalwork manufacturer, to design-assist and fabricate a range of bespoke railings and a vehicle-barrier gate.

Having recently been installed throughout the suburb, they represent part of the process of enhancing the services for residents and improving the aesthetics of the local environment.

The development of the former Ley Hill Estate will eventually witness the creation of a new sustainable neighbourhood consisting of 440 new homes and 100 renovated properties, including improvements in local infrastructure and greater use of public transport. Alpha Rail has been involved in several regeneration schemes since it was established in 1985 and it is the company’s track-record within the social housing sector that was a major factor in Fitzgerald Contractors, the sub-contractor, specifying and installing them.

To select the appropriate railings and vehicle-barrier gate, a close working relationship was established between Alpha Rail, Birmingham City Council’s Landscape Practice Group, Thomas Vale and Fitzgerald Contractors. Following discussions regarding the design of the railings, it was decided to install 136m of blue bow top fencing as part of revamping and extending an existing play area, 253l/m of black trip rail around a new village green and a green vehicle-barrier gate to enhance the security access to a council-owed car park.

This demonstrates the range of applications in which Alpha Rail’s products are used and the solutions they provide for aesthetically improving security and safety features, which are suitable for an urban environment.

Jonathan Webster, Principal Landscape Architect at Birmingham City Council Landscaping Practice Group, comments: “Ley Hill is a major regeneration scheme and equally as important as creating homes that people want to live in, we want to develop an attractive, public open space where families can spend their leisure time. The railings play an important part in providing aesthetically pleasing facilities that are safe and appealing.” he added.

Railings around the play area were painted an attractive blue shade to complement the existing colour scheme and the bright and vibrant finish helps promote a safe environment for children to play. The green vehicle-barrier gate to Holloway Hall car park was selected for similar purposes, this time to match the colour of the shutters on the Holloway Hall Community Centre windows. The vehicle-barrier not only provides a secure access point, but is visually unobtrusive and easy to operate.

Phil Ball, Sales Director at Alpha Rail, explains: “The railings and vehicle-barrier gate we produced had to meet safety, security and aesthetic requirements. By working closely with the contractor and council, we ensured the brief, including the design specifications, were met precisely. The end result speaks for itself.”

Alpha Rail has over 20 years experience in manufacturing railings and gates and counts many housing associations, private developers and local authorities amongst its customers. The company has gained a reputation in the industry for the quality of its products, which are backed up by exceptional customer service.