Ontrack Commercial Fencing installed a 2.0m-high twin-wire mesh fencing system around the school boundary. The fencing was finished in green along the side elevations to blend in with the existing hedges, and blue at the front to match the school colours.

During the pre-start meeting with the client and the school head, it became apparent that alongside the security requirements, maintaining a visual screen and a degree of privacy was also an important consideration.

The original brief was to remove all existing hedges and vegetation before installing the new fencing. Ontrack proposed an alternative solution; retaining the existing hedges and cutting them back sufficiently to allow the fencing to be installed, whilst leaving the majority of the hedging in place.

This approach provided the required security of the new fencing while maintaining the privacy and visual screening previously provided by the hedging. It also delivered a cost saving for the client as the complete removal and disposal of the existing hedging was no longer necessary. In areas where there was insufficient vegetation for the required privacy, artificial conifer screen was attached to the fencing.

Ontrack also reviewed the proposed access arrangements and identified that the originally specified automated double-leaf swing gates would encroach on the available parking area and result in the loss of parking spaces.

We recommended an automated bi-fold gate as an alternative. This solution required significantly less space to operate and therefore allowed the existing parking provision to be retained. Following consideration of the options, the client agreed to proceed with the automated bi-fold gate solution.

Through careful consideration of the site’s practical requirements, Ontrack was able to provide a fencing and access solution that enhanced security, retained privacy, reduced unnecessary vegetation removal, protected parking provision, and provided a saving to the client.

The entire project was completed on time, during the school’s summer holiday period.