Galvanised
mild steel railings 
Alpha Rail - New railings enhance historic parks restoration
Derbyshire Dales District Council is currently restoring five
historic parks and pleasure grounds that run along the Derwent
Valley and connect Matlock to picturesque Matlock Bath, an area
popular with tourists and weekend visitors. The aim of the
project is to restore the historical landscape, whilst
conserving and improving the ecological value of the sites, as
well as enhancing its safety and desirability to tourists.
The ambitious £.5 million, 5-year Matlock Parks Project, which
is part funded by a £2.67 million grant from the Heritage
Lottery Fund, is enabling improvements to be made to the five
popular parks; Hall Leys Park, Pic Tor, Derwent Gardens, Lovers'
Walk and High Tor Grounds.
One of these improvements has been the installation of new
railings and gates to provide greater safety and security to
hikers and weekend visitors to this area of outstanding beauty.
Bespoke metalwork manufacturer Alpha Rail, based in
Nottinghamshire, successfully won the contract to supply 600m?
of timber post and rail and 600m of estate rail in galvanized
mild steel for High Tor, a scenic walkway that takes in a
spectacular 300 foot rock rising from the bed of the river
Derwent. The company also supplied 100m of bowtop fencing and
over 100m of handrail in galvanized mild steel, for Lovers
Walks, a narrow path which passes along a series of small cliffs
overlooking the river, with scenic views of Matlock Bath and the
nearby Heights of Abraham. All railings were supplied powder
coated to the main contractors Jacksons Civil Engineering to
enhance longevity.
Phil Ball, sales director, explains: “As a local company, we
were delighted to be successful in tendering to provide railings
for this prestigious project which is part of this region’s
heritage. The design of the railings means they are perfectly in
keeping with their surroundings and ensures that the park is
enjoyed by local residents and visitors to the area, whilst
their safety is protected, for many years to come.”
Alison Baker, project manager explains: “The new railings will
complement the appearance of the parks, as well as contributing
towards the restoration of an historic feature. The completed
parks are already attracting more visitors to the area, whilst
also providing new facilities for local residents.”
Alpha Rail has extensive experience in the restoration of areas
of natural beauty through the supply of new gates and railings,
with others including Dorchester Gardens, Battersea Park in
Wandsworth (winner of a Civic Trust Award), Roundhay Park in
Leeds and Handsworth Park in Birmingham.
The cost of the investment in this latest phase totals nearly
£300,000 and is funded by a combination of sources: the Heritage
Lottery Fund, Derbyshire Dales District Council, Matlock Town
Council, SITA, the Forestry Commission via their English
Woodlands Grant Scheme, Rural Transport Partnership and
contributions of work-in-kind from many local individuals and
organisations.
Email:
marina@dragonflypr.co.uk