Railways can be dangerous places. Moving trains pose a serious threat to both human and animal life, and train stations often contain a lot of steep drops from platforms to train tracks. At UKDN Waterflow, we deliver an extensive range of fencing solutions which are designed to make train tracks safer places, and protect rail assets from damage and keep the public safe.
What are the benefits of railway fencing?
The key benefit associated with a rail fence is that it promotes safety. Here are some examples of exactly how they make railways safer:
- Rail tracks often run through rural areas, perhaps passing through a woodland or forestry. It’s important that fencing surrounds these tracks to ensure that wildlife or members of the public (perhaps out walking with a dog, for example) are protected from hazards
- Farm-lands bordering onto a train track can benefit from reliable fencing solutions designed to protect livestock
- Fly-tipping, trespassing, and vandalism is reduced by fencing solutions
It’s in the interest of rail operators to implement and maintain proper fencing solutions to prevent any delays to services. Network Rail’s ‘You vs Train’ campaign highlights the importance of having proper rail fencing installed- which can’t be overstated.
What types of fencing do we work with at UKDN Waterflow?
Whilst we conduct repair and maintenance work on all types of fencing, the primary types of fencing used in the rail sector are:
- High-security fencing
- Boundary fencing
Naturally, these have different applications based on the needs of a particular area of rail track. Boundary fencing is the most common type of fencing used on UK railways. It stands at around 1m to 2m tall, and is made from different types of metals. Steel, for example, is a popular fencing material. It can come with a galvanised finish to protect it from rusting. We supply and install a range of fencing materials from major UK manufacturers.
Steel is strong and durable; proving more resistant to the weather and less prone to decay than wood, such as timber which is used in post and rail fencing. Welding metal railing fences together makes the structures maintain their shape indefinitely, and recycled steel can also be used to create steel fencing in a sustainable way.
Particularly within high-security fencing, tall and wide bars make a section of fencing very hard to pass through, and the wide fence-posts can be coated with anti-climb paint to further improve security. Typically, high-security fencing is required in areas that experience high levels of vandalism and crime.
In cases where rail fencing must pass over unstable ground, existing drainage structures or naturally occurring ditches, we offer a range of geotechnical services to stabilise the ground before installing rail fencing. We also install rail fencing around properties which are situated close to train tracks.
Railway Fencing Laws
The legal framework surrounding railway fencing primarily concerns itself with unauthorized access to railway infrastructure – it’s illegal to climb over railway fencing. The Office of Rail and Road is the regulatory body which oversees railways (and subsequently railway fencing). You can read about recent revisions to the 1997 Railway Safety Regulations here.
How can UKDN Waterflow help?
If you’re in need of a railway fencing solution, contact us for a consultation. We offer de-vegetation services that facilitate the installation of rail fencing, as well as a host of rail-related surveying and drainage solutions.