Bespoke Cable Management
In Novemeber 2020 Pace Infrastructure Solutions were contracted on the Thameslink project through one of our rail clients to support in providing a design and build cable management system that would remove a heavily congested area of rail infrastructure on the approach to the very busy route into London Bridge station by designing a new cable management system. The area in question had power & signalling cables sitting dangerously close to the conductor rails in a 200mtr section of track. The solution had to deal with extremely tight gauging clearances, maintain safe refuge in condition and on a viaduct with restricted access to site.
The solution was innovatively designed by our Design Team utilising standard Arco type 2 trunking supported by bespoke brackets - which combined, produced a cable management solution that could be installed trackside by mounting the route on top of the viaduct wall while allowing the safe refuges and provided an asset that was easily accessible to the maintainer. Scott Parnell was significant in the success of the project and our first point of call as the supplier to help achieve what we needed to build on site. Not only were they able to suggest Arco type 2 to our designers, which provide a Network Rail approved product that reduces the requirement between fixing points, they also manufactured our designed galvanised bespoke brackets that allowed the standard Arco type 2 to be installed while maintaining as much track access as possible, decongesting the area as per the remit.
The challenges faced throughout the project were tight timescales; we only had 6 weeks from contract award through to design, procure & build and then finally commission. This included the importing of the German built bespoke brackets. We even faced issues here due to the borders closing as works coincided with Brexit. We also had to carry out all design and build of the bespoke brackets through key engineering meetings managed over MS Teams between the German manufacturers and the PACE design and delivery team during the global pandemic. The result was a 3-day blockage and 7 back to back shifts over the 2020/21 New Year's Eve period that resulted in the successful commissioning of the new cable management system ready for the future planned cable change over.
Testimonial:
After many years in the rail industry, I find that Scott Parnell are one of the most competitive and reliable suppliers and the first point of call whenever we pick up a new project. Within their team are experienced technical experts that can support with any procurement requirement and the first point of call for my delivery teams. A well recommended supplier for all your construction needs.
Damien Kilcoyne - Operations Director PACE Infrastructure Solution Limited.
