Procter Contracts supplies and installs fencing, gates and street furniture for new-build hospital

This new-build hospital was due to open in 2021 but, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it partially opened early.

The Grange University Hospital is the first major new-build hospital in Wales for over 20 years, costing around £350 million. Covering 55,000 m2 and with 560 beds, it will provide specialist and critical care treatment, as well as having a 24-hour acute Assessment Unit and Emergency Department.

Laing O’Rourke, as the main contractor, needed to adhere to strict timescales, which meant minimising project risk. An area of concern was the supply and installation of perimeter security fencing, additional fencing and acoustic barriers, and gates for vehicular and pedestrian access. At the same time, numerous items of street furniture were required.

Procter Contracts is an experienced specialist installer of fencing, gates and street furniture – in fact the company is thought to be unique in its capability across all three areas. Furthermore, Procter Contracts has a range of standard products as well as in-house facilities for the design and manufacture of bespoke items. Laing O’Rourke therefore found Procter Contracts to be the ideal partner for The Grange University Hospital, as this ensured there was just one point of contact for all issues relating to fencing, gates and street furniture.

Over 1000 linear metres of fencing were supplied and installed, including high-security perimeter fencing, acoustic barriers, timber fencing, stock fencing and protection for emergency stairwells. Bespoke louvre screening was designed, manufactured and installed.

Twenty gates of standard and bespoke designs were installed for use by vehicles and pedestrians, with two of the vehicular access gates being fully automated double swing gates.

In addition, Procter Contracts installed canopies, crash barriers and items of standard and bespoke street furniture; these ranged from ornate seating and stainless steel litter bins, through to pedestrian guardrails and a bus shelter.

The Grange University Hospital, like any new-build hospital, was a complex project and inevitably challenges arose in relation to specifications, designs and scheduling. However, Procter Contracts often works on large projects and took everything in its stride.

Peter Sharpe, the Project Leader at Laing O’Rourke Construction Ltd, commented: “Their performance throughout has been excellent, they supported Laing O’Rourke in achieving successful completion of the project. The project manager and his team were very supportive in ensuring the agreed milestones were successfully achieved. This was achieved through their customer focus and determination to deliver without compromise. Procter’s proactive and positive approach has alleviated the challenges that come with a project of this nature. It is a pleasure working with such a professional, forward-thinking company who are solutions-focussed.

“With Procter’s passion to provide the best service and highest quality products, it gives you the confidence and guarantee of accomplishing the greatest results. Procter Contracts are a key part of Laing O’Rourke’s supply chain and I look forward to working with them again soon.”

Thomas Shapland, Marketing Director of Procter Contracts, concludes: “This project is an excellent illustration of our extensive portfolio of products and services. Whatever a client needs in terms of fencing, gates and street furniture, we can supply and install both standard and custom designs. We relish working with architects to take their ideas and turn them into high-quality products that strike the right balance between function, aesthetics and cost. For fencing and gates, we ensure the required security level is achieved too.

“Customers appreciate our expertise and experience, and they trust us to supply and install high-quality products, at the right price and to agreed schedules.”

Hazel Goss, Secured by Design, said: “As Proctor Contracts Development Officer I am proud to see what a fantastic project they have been able to deliver on, not only offering a wide range of products but also sharing their expertise and knowledge so the Hospital is safe and secure for all those using it now and in the future. Well done to all involved!”

Procter Contracts is a business unit of Procter Brothers Ltd catering for clients requiring fencing, railings, electric gates, street furniture or any combination of these. Products supplied and installed include standard and bespoke fencing and railings, high-security perimeter fencing (electrified and/or with electronic intrusion detection systems if required), manual and automated gates (high-security, tracked or cantilevered sliding gates, swing gates, bi-folding gates and telescopic gates), stainless steel handrails, and standard and bespoke street furniture such as cycle racks, seating, bollards, barriers, hoops, trolley enclosures, protection rails, bin stores, plant enclosures, and protectors for columns, pipes and lamp posts.

Procter Brothers Ltd is a family-owned company with a history dating back to 1740. Today the business combines the best aspects of traditional craftsmanship and care for customers and employees, with up-to-date technology and production methods.

You can find out more about Procter Contracts and their extensive range of Secured by Design accredited products here: https://www.securedbydesign.com/member-companies/sbd-members?view=companydetail&account=0011i00000JpvPwAAJ