Alpha Rail wins £100,000 park restoration contract

Metal railings and gates specialist Alpha Rail has been appointed to help restore one of Nottinghamshire’s most-loved parks.

Located alongside University Boulevard, next to the University of Nottingham, Highfields Park is a Grade II* listed park currently undergoing major redevelopment work to remove silt from the boating lake, as well as restore and improve historic infrastructure.

The £4.8m project has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Big Lottery Fund’s Parks for People programme and Nottingham City Council.

Contracted by Carillion, Alpha Rail was appointed on the project in July and will work on an ongoing basis to take down and replace existing metal railings and gates as well as carry out restoration work on railings and gates that require repairs and repainting.

The value of the contract is in excess of £100,000 and will help Alpha Rail sustain its current workforce of 50 people.

The entire project is set to span a 42-week period with the project aiming to be completed by mid 2018.

Sales director, Phil Ball, said: “Highfields Park is an iconic park space that is enjoyed by groups of people from all age ranges. Alpha Rail is a keen supporter of any campaign that supports the regeneration of the UK’s green spaces. I am very happy that Heritage Lottery Funding is helping work to be completed that will benefit the local community.”

He added: “There is an increased concern that local parks will be starved of local funding as it is clear that there is a growing deficit between the rising use of parks and the declining resources that are available to manage them. This gap does not bode well for the future condition and health of the nation’s public parks, so when projects like this get the go ahead, I am always pleased, as it goes partway to preserving our green spaces for future generations.”

Councillor Dave Trimble, Nottingham City Council portfolio holder for leisure and culture, said: “Highfields Park has been loved by generations of Nottingham people and it’s fantastic that it’s now being restored to its original splendour as it approaches its centenary.

“The park is an important part of Nottingham’s history, particularly because of its link with Jesse Boot, and I am proud that our ambitious plans for a full restoration along with improved facilities and an exciting events programme for today’s park users have come to fruition thanks to the generosity of National Lottery players and other funding partners.”