Surespan provides easy access in London tunnel

Surespan, UK's leading manufacturer of access hatches, has designed and installed four revolutionary new hatches inside Fore Street tunnel on A406 North Circular road in London.

Surespan, the UK's leading manufacturer of access hatches, has designed and installed four revolutionary new hatches inside the Fore Street tunnel on the A406 North Circular road in Edmonton, London.

The hatches are the first of its kind in the UK and have been specifically designed for Transport for London to not only withstand the weight of major volumes of traffic but also allow safe and easy access to the wells beneath.

They are currently being trialled in Fore Street tunnel for 12 months.

Rainer Clover, Managing Director of Surespan, commented: "It is vital that engineers are able to quickly gain access to the wells that are underneath the road within tunnels such as Fore Street".

"Until now engineers have had to use special machinery and a hydraulic device, however our new design of access hatch solves this problem".

Made of aluminium, they are capable of withstanding D400 loading yet can be easily opened by one operative.

Steve Hamilton, Commercial Director of Connectel who are overseeing the project, commented: "Transport For London are over the moon with the covers and in particular the ease in which they open".

"Subject to the results of the trial, we intend to adopt these covers in other locations across London, especially within tunnels.".

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