Notting Hill Garden

of Cabling

of Molling

of Railings

Gates

Background: a heavily wooded and sloped Garden in Notting Hill (with some of the best Flower Beds in London) wanted to undertake a series of works including refurbishing railings, connecting to mains electricity, installing a new access control system and potentially adding security cameras.

The main challenges in the Garden were:

Overcoming access restrictions at either gate
Navigating root protection areas and constant changes in gradient of the terrain
Compensating for voltage drop (200m+ runs)
Avoiding underground structures dating back to WW2 (including two air raid shelters)
Protecting the extensive flowerbeds carefully curated by the Head Gardener, Paul, for some 30+ years

Our Solution to Protect Trees

was to employ extensive use of Impact Moling (BS5837 compliant) from hand-dug pits, whilst following cable-routes that allowed for maximum distance between the trees.

Moling Pit Locations were Carefully Planned

To navigate constant changes in gradient across the garden, whilst also minimising any damaged to flower beds (especially within 1.5m of the borders to Lawn / Paths).

From these pits we used our Impact Moles to bore straight-line tunnels. Each time the Mole arrived at the exit-pit, a class electrical conduit was pulled through the tunnel, in which armoured cables would subsequently be run, affording extra dig-protection to the Armoured cables we would subsequently run.

We Mitigated Voltage Drop

using a combination of a 3 phase supply, a discrete mid-garden electrical enclosure, and lots of large, heavy cables.

We worked with UKPN to find a discrete, yet practical and accessible position for the Mains Electrical Enclosure to house a new 3-phase supply.

Meanwhile the Chair of the Garden Committee was kind enough to take the lead in finding a new Elecity provider able to install a new meter within a few weeks (no small acomplishment!).

Each of the 3 Phases was Put to Use

One phase was kept for use at the same side of the Garden as the Mains Enclsoure.

The Second phase was routed some 40m away to a discrete, small second, mid-garden GRP Enclosure, where it would be used exclusively for in-lawn sockets.

Finally, the Third phase passed through the mid-Garden enclosure and straight onto the Garden Shed at the other end of the Garden, some 160m away.

25mm armoured cables were used for all main cable runs in-order to satisfy equipment drawing up to 30-amps as far away as the shed.

We are Installing a cutting edge Access Control System

that is infrastructure-light, but feature rich...

Noting security concerns, particularly around the annual Carnival, the Committee have opted to install a GL1 Gate Lock, that is twice as strong as the alternative Magnetic Lock, and more resistant to power cuts/interference with a fail-secure option.

This lock is being combined with our market-leading Access Control system, that utilises wireless technology to reduce the need to run additional network cables in the Garden, whilst at the same time offering a free cloud management platform, telephone access for contractors, and traceable, clone-proof fobs.

Meanwhile, the East Railings were Revamped

to make them look (almost) as good as new.

Our team quickly attended, brushed down all the railings, applied a rust treatment, before applying a rust nullifying black gloss paint, all with minimum disturbance to the hedgerow behind the railings.

The railing plinths were taken back before being recast, to look as good as new. Meanwhile the Gate Pillars were completely repointed.

The team even received compliments by passers-by, noting how appreciative they were to see the outside of the Garden returned to its former glory.

Project Costs

of Cable