Princes Risborough
Design intent
An optimised design solution that combines
accessibility and sustainable material specification.
Design
A modular, off-site solution to ensure fast and effective installation within a limited time window.
Design reality
Unlock access to a difficult site, to ensure safety for both rail users, pedestrians, and site operatives
Access
The complexity of the UK’s rail network and its construction means that no two jobs are the same for KITE Projects. The features of local terrain and landscape, means that each project and the solutions we deliver are bespoke.
The main project at Princes Risborough was part of the wider HS2 programme, where existing infrastructure needed to be adapted to fit in with the overall scheme. Here, the track needed replacement, including the sleepers – a stretch exceeding half a mile, and to add to the complexity, a crossing was also required. This warranted a 52-hour rail possession – only one of which was available in a single year.
The key challenge facing KITE Projects, was one of safety, where the existing access was poorly constructed, degraded and dangerous – with inadequate landings that were too close to track. The standing position on these landings, gave pedestrians poor sighting of track and poor visibility of waiting pedestrians to the train driver.
Another site-specific feature was that the public right of way was an unusual situation, where the embankment was very steep and there was an inadequate ballast shoulder, that made it unviable to build using conventional concrete-based installation and masonry products.
KITE Projects was introduced to the project, and worked collaboratively with all involved, to deliver an alternative and more streamlined solution. The modular KITE Step product unlocked the access challenge, where the suspended platforms gave appropriate height and containment to give people a safe access across the track and work within the site constraints.
KITE Project’s design input completed the design process, and our proposal enabled completion of the design documents required for the track replacement.
A long-term design life of 40 years was attained, which created enhanced access that connected a new housing estate to the central Princes Risborough facilities, including a beautiful recreation ground, and the local shops and facilities
