Station’s stairways benefit from new technology

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Britain’s railway stations set many challenges for their owners and operators, with work being carried out across the country to ensure they are fit for the 21st century. Some need to be enlarged – or at least have their capacity increased – to handle the ever-growing number of passengers travelling on today’s trains. Birmingham New Street, featured elsewhere in this issue, is a good example. Others need rebuilding as decades of use have taken their toll on the Victorian fabric.

But many more just need bringing up-to-date. When they were built, DDA regulations were unknown but now even the smallest station has to be made to comply. Network Rail’s ‘Access for All’ scheme is doing important work by installing lifts and footbridges. There are though other important aspects of the legislation that have to be addressed.

Getting tactile

One obvious feature is the installation of surface-mounted tactile paving. This can now be seen at many stations – a series of offset lumps that warns the visually-impaired of the platform edge’s proximity. Visul Systems is one of these strips’ leading manufacturers and the company has retrofitted many platforms on both London Underground and the national rail network.

The Washington-based firm has now turned its attention to another area of concern – the treads on steps and staircases. Basic concrete steps are no longer adequate so Visul has developed a range of bespoke anti-slip stair treads that comply with requirements of the DDA (Disability Discrimination Act 1994). The Visuline range of nosings has a simple aim – to use the least number of profiles to provide a durable, hard-wearing anti-slip solution for all types of steps and stairs.

Step nosings

The range consists of four main products, all designed to be retrofitted to a basically sound step. They include Carbigrip – extremely hard wearing anti-slip surface nosings and treads manufactured from aluminium alloy, giving excellent durability for both internal and external applications – and Ecoglo HD which creates a highly visible edge to reduce the risk of falls in a variety of lighting conditions. Once fitted, the aluminium nosing creates an aesthetically pleasing step edge.

Ross Carty, Visul Systems’ Marketing Manager, explained that “Our primary aim is for rail companies to choose Visul Systems for planned station refurbishments and DDA products. Our current portfolio includes concrete repair materials, anti-slip surfacing, tactile paving, anti-carbonation coatings and now stair nosings. By incorporating the Visuline range of products into our portfolio, we firmly believe that we are making significant progress in offering clients a one-stop shop for station refurbishment.”

Site installation

The system has been designed to be quick and easy to install, using rapid curing and moisture-tolerant fixing materials. The robust and hard wearing nosings can include photoluminscent warning strips that remain visible for several hours. In addition, Visul offers a supply-and-fit solution through sister company USL StructureCare which has over 25 years experience in the civil engineering and construction industries. Being installers as well as suppliers means Visul can offer customers a complete service, from site surveys to fixing.

So next time you’re on a station stairway, look down at what you are walking on. You may see some interesting new technology that you’ve never noticed before!

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