Improving security and access at Companies House

About the project

Enable Infrastructure (formerly BCM Construction) successfully completed The Gatehouse Project – an important programme of works to improve and strengthen external access and security at Companies House, a notable UK Government property near the centre of Cardiff. The site houses more than 1,000 staff over five floors and includes a multi-storey car park. 

We used our Crown Commercial Services Framework to win the work; specifically, it was undertaken through the Welsh Crown Commercial Services Construction Works and Associated Services Framework Alliance. 

The project focused on alleviating congestion as traffic enters the site, on general improvements to vehicle movements and on providing better pedestrian access. It enhanced the complex’s security in line with the latest Government guidance: with valuable public information recorded and stored at Companies House, the added level of security now provides tangible resilience and reassurance against any potential threats. 

Enable Infrastructure constructed substantial barriers, new security fencing, turnstiles, and vehicle gates to manage access and egress on to the site. New bases, kerb lines and extensive surfacing and lining were installed, while the scope also covered CCTV, intercom, and lighting, allied with new signage to enhance fluency of movement around the site.  

The project involved the installation of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). We therefore designed and constructed rain gardens, thus ensuring that the drainage was approved by the Sustainable Drainage Approving Body.  

The challenge

• Unknown location of various services underground 
• Working in high-security area 
• Working within heavily pedestrianised areas 
• The new construction techniques required to install SuDS 
• Increasing price inflation 
• Continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The solution

To verify (or otherwise) the presence and location of services as per the built drawings, trial holes were excavated, CAT scans made, on-site surveys carried out and liaison/meetings conducted with the statutory undertakers and on-site service managers and maintainers. 

Other challenges were met through detailed planning and through frequent meetings with the client and other stakeholders, including very effective value engineering (VE) and collaboration meetings involving the local authority and the designers.