Context

In Great Sankey, a small town in Cheshire, a previously waterlogged field has been transformed into a community park in a bid to help protect and improve green spaces. The town's Parish Council worked with Warrington Borough Council to undertake a public consultation to find out if residents were in favour of the plans, which include a new entrance and boundary railings, a children's play area, an access path, hedges and planting, and improved drainage of the field to allow it to be used all year round.

In spring, a carefully thought-out planting scheme is set to bloom in the park, creating a sensory experience for visitors involving sight, smell and touch. This is part of the aim to make the new park a space for everyone to enjoy, and provide peace and relaxation. Tony Williams, Vice Chair of the Parish Council commented on the impact of loneliness on our health, and how the pandemic has highlighted the importance of everyone having access to green spaces, and places to meet and chat.

The park was named Vicarage Community Park, after the two winning names of a competition were combined to reflect the history of the site and use of the field.

Local steel fabricator Cromwall Fabrications manufactured a bespoke arch entrance which features three salmon, the heraldic arms of the Parish of Great Sankey.

To complete the entrance, metal railings were required to extend along the boundary.

Project detail

Just 30 miles away, Jacksons Chester branch was well situated to provide a fencing solution for the development. To match the aesthetics of the bespoke steel archway, Jacksons Ornamental Railings were chosen to provide a secure and attractive boundary.

The park required 59 metres of fencing , and a five metre wide matching gate to allow access for maintenance vehicles and emergency services.

Jacksons manufactures three design variations of metal ornamental railings -  Standard, Style A, and Style B - with a choice of five finial designs.

Style B was chosen, which has two rows of decorative metal rings, and was paired with J finials, a narrow, discreet option that mimics those seen on traditional wrought iron railings. Black RAL 9005 polyester powder coating was chosen to provide a classic, elegant look.

Jacksons ornamental metal railings are designed to achieve the wrought iron railing appearance, but instead made from tubular steel which is light and easy to install, and offers great protection against rust and corrosion from its hot dipped galvanised treatment. A wide range of colours for polyester powder coating is available.

The panels are installed using tamper-proof, panel-to-post connectors, with concealed fixings used throughout to provide a secure, vandal proof fence with no visible bolts or rivets to be removed.

All Jacksons metal railings come with a 25-year guarantee, providing low lifetime costs in terms of repairs and replacements, and presenting a more sustainable approach to security.