In The News
Howe Green Access Panels and Entrance Matting are first class at Ebbsfleet International Station
A range of access panels and entrance mats, manufactured by leading producer Howe Green, have been fitted internally and externally at the domestic section of Ebbsfleet International Station, a station serving SouthEastern Rail’s new high speed rail service.
Connecting the county of Kent to Stratford and St. Pancras, the new rail link will significantly reduce commuters’ journey times. Running on the same tracks as the Eurostar, it is a leading project for SouthEastern Rail and marks Britain’s first domestic high speed rail service. As such a prominent station, it was expected that flooring would be subjected to foot traffic from tens of thousands of passengers. This led to the specification of Howe Green’s hardwearing access panels and entrance mats.
Following a competitive tender process, rail infrastructure specialist YJLi was selected to construct the platforms of the new station whilst the KN Group undertook the construction and fitting out of the station extension building.
To provide access covers for vital internal under floor services in the station building, 12 of Howe Green’s 7500 series panels were chosen in a range of sizes and installed by the KN Group. On the external platforms, three 500 mm x 500 mm and seven 800 x 500 mm access panels were installed by YJLi to cover railway communications and services.
Suitable for any situation where heavy loading is required – they can accommodate a 5 tonne pressure from a pneumatic tyre – they were ideal for the heavy foot traffic the station expected.
The panels were tailor-made by Howe Green to the various sizes that were needed – a service provided by the company with no time or cost constraint. Set into the substrate, where they sit flush with flooring so as not to present a trip hazard, they can be easily raised with the set of lifting keys provided. To create a discrete finish, the access panels feature a recessed lid enabling tiling or other floor finishes, to be paid over the panels. This allowed the KN Group to create a seamless finish for the tiled floor surface of the station building.
As well as being durable and workable, the panels offer the best in cleanliness. Double sealed to prevent their penetration by dirt and grease, the panels feature stainless steel baseplates and reinforcements to prevent corrosion. The panels were especially suited to external usage as they have high resistance to weather exposure.
For further information about our 7500 series floor access covers - please visit our Medium Duty Floor Access Covers page.
Metro 17 entrance matting installed to entrance/exit areas and waiting rooms
At entrance and exit areas of the station, the underpass and waiting rooms, a number of Howe Green’s Metro 17 were installed. An advanced matting system with carpet inserts, it can accommodate heavy foot traffic whilst removing underfoot soil, dirt and grease to ensure cleanliness within buildings.
Built to an industry standard depth of 17mm, it is easily installed and features LDPE hinges that allow the mat to be rolled up for cleaning beneath it. Slip resistant, Metro 17 is also fully compliant with Disability Discrimination Act regulations regarding building access. Made from 30% recycled materials, it is fully recyclable at the end of its life span.
Howe Green’s panels were also chosen at other sections of the Eurostar and SouthEastern high-speed service. Notably, their access panels were installed at the route’s main terminus at St. Pancras, where their outstanding durability made them an ideal choice for platform installation.
With a reputation for excellent service, products and technical support, Howe Green has established itself as a leading producer of floor, wall and access panels over its 25-year history. The choice of Howe Green solutions on the Ebbsfleet project stands as testament to the company’s ability to successfully deliver solutions for the most demanding of projects.
For further information about our Metro 17 Series matting for pedestrian traffic - please visit our Heavy Duty Entrance Matting page.
