B&G Entrance Control secures site around Antwerp Kattendijk
Lock
"We want to prevent curious
passersby to fall into the water"
It is not surprising that
management company Antwerpen Mobiel and Waterwegen & Zeekanaal
chose B&G Entrance Control when they searched for new fencing
of the renovated Kattendijk Lock. Over the past years, the
specialist in site security from Mechelen has gained ample
experience in fencing off locks in the Antwerp harbour area.
Previously, B&G had already provided the site security of five
sea locks and was involved in the renovation of the Van Cauwelaert
Lock.
Having existed for 150 years, the
Kattendijk Lock is the oldest yet existing lock in Antwerp. It
connects the river Scheldt with the Kattendijk dock and the docks
situated behind it. In the late nineties, the Kattendijk Lock was
decommissioned and closed off by means of the Kofferdam.
Nevertheless, it was reopened after the upgrade/renovation of the
adjacent neighbourhood called 'het Eilandje' and the need for
improved accessibility for pleasure crafts to the Willems dock
marina. After more than two years of renovation the lock was
reopened in September this year.
Renovation
The renovation took place as a part
of the Masterplan 2020. With this project the Flemish government
aims to improve the viability, accessibility and road safety in the
Antwerp region. The plan pays special attention to sustainable
traffic solutions such as shipping. The Kattendijk Lock is one of
three locks that have been renovated.
The renovation included renewal of
the lock-keeper houses, demolishment and replacement of the
Kattendijk Bridge by a traversing bridge and replacement of the
lock-gates. The immediate vicinity of the lock, from the Kattendijk
dock to the traversing bridge, was fenced off by approx. 650 meter
B&G chain link fence. The building site was made accessible by
installing four 10-meter wide A-liner sliding gates and four
1-meter wide swing gates.
Dangerous
The fence is necessary because the
surrounding area of the Kattendijk Lock is designed as a walking
zone. "We want to prevent curious passersby to get too close to the
lock and fall into the water", explains Koen van Schel. He is the
project manager of contractor consortium THV Roegiers/Depret -
Victor Buyck Steel Construction - Egemin and responsible for the
execution of the renovation. "When the boats navigate into the lock
and fasten their bunches, it can be especially dangerous for
spectators."
'City Grey'
The fence is situated about 15
meters from the edge of the lock. This is done because there needs
to be sufficient space between the mooring-posts and the fence for
emergency services, according to Van Schel. The choice for a 1.50
meters high fence was the result of aesthetic preferences. "This
should offer sufficient protection without it being intimidating",
says the project manager. "After all, it is a shipping lock for
pleasure- and passenger crafts."
For finishing off of the fence,
'city grey' was selected, the standard colour of all of Antwerp's
street furniture. "That colour is no problem for B&G", says
B&G account manager Eric Morel. "It may not be a standard
RAL-colour, but it is possible to create it technically. We have
managed it before." Koen van Schel believes that this type of
experience has supported of his choice for B&G. "In addition,
the right price was very important", he explains. "Especially when
considering the current economic climate."
Co-operation
Koen van Schel is positive about
the co-operation with B&G. He expects three things from a
subcontractor: "The price has to be right, the service has to be
excellent and they have to live up to agreements." During the work
at the Kattendijk Lock he never had to step in. Van Schel:
"Everything went as scheduled".