Invention will lead to safer street works

May Gurney has developed a better and safer design for footpath plates and trench covers - the Radlock - which has potential use across the utilities market.

While current footpath plates are adequate and comply with street works regulations, there's potential for a hazard to both workers and the public if they became dislodged. In addition, the plates can be difficult to secure to the trench, and there's a small risk that vandals can remove them.

To overcome these problems, a May Gurney gas site agent working on a National Grid project has developed a new system to secure the plates.

The Radlock design means that once the plate is in position it cannot be moved unless unlocked with a special cranking key. The plate sits over the trench with the locking mechanism in the excavation. The key is then used to crank the legs of the mechanism open until they are secured on the walls of the pit.

Backed by finance and encouragement from May Gurney at director level, and support from National Grid, the idea has been developed to working model stage, and piloted on site. Now Oxford Plastics - the company that will produce the Radlock - will further refine it and then distribute it to the utility marketplace.

Gavin Scarr Hall, Managing Director Utility Services, commented: "It's excellent to see a home grown development emerge from an individual in one of our utility teams.

"This hands on approach is always likely to result in a practical solution as the product will be suitable for use in the real environment encountered on our street works sites.

"It looks likely that Radlock will be beneficial for National Grid and our other utility customers and we're delighted to have such a close association with its development."