Pembroke Dock Station

By | 18 November 2020

With its team of experts in the polycarbonate and roof glazing fields, Twinfix works on developing the best, newest and most cost-effective roof glazing products.

A family business, Twinfix has been involved in the polycarbonate roof glazing market for nearly 30 years.

This year, Twinfix worked with Principal Contractor AmcoGiffen restoring Pembroke Dock Station. Twinfix supplied its non-fragile roofing system the Multi-Link-Panel to replace the old tired, discoloured glazing at Pembroke Dock Station.

The station at Pembroke Dock is steeped in history and character. It opened in 1863, and was later adapted as the station grew, with fully glazed canopies added over the station entrance and platform in early 1900s, following the takeover of Pembroke and Tenby by Great Western Railway.

Now a Grade II listed building situated in a conservation area, Pembroke Dock station has recently been regenerated as part of the £24m Wales Station Improvement Scheme. The project includes restoration of the station canopies, which will stand the test of time. Both Twinfix and AmcoGiffen focused on renewing the station, while adhering to the specification to keep the historic design and character of the station.

Paul Childs, Company Secretary for the Railway Heritage Trust commented: “The Railway Heritage Trust supported Network Rail’s decision to use Twinfix in the restoration of the canopies, which was carried out in a sympathetic and considered manner on this historic structure.”

The innovative Georgian wired Multi-Link-Panel NF (nonfragile) roof-glazing was an ideal fit for the refurbishment project at Pembroke. It is important to retain the feel of a station, so a sympathetic restoration is crucial. However, it is also essential to not just replace like with like, while traditional materials may look the same there are often disadvantages associated with them. Georgian wired polycarbonate is a 6mm solid polycarbonate sheet with a dimpled surface that mimics the Georgian wired glass that it will be replacing, but it will not break over time. Substantiality is a key advantage of the Multi-Link-Panel and this long lasting, very low maintaince material will ensure the station glazing needs very little maintaince as these panels will not break.

As well as ensuring the new glazing looks in keeping with the historic Pembroke Dock station, it is also important to improve the safety of the roof and the Multi-Link-Panel system is classified as non-fragile in accordance with the ACR(M)001:2014 roofing test. This is an important feature of the roof and brings It up to date with modern day safety requirements.

In addition, the access hatches at Pembroke Dock are designed to allow access from underneath, rather than on top of the roof, enhancing the safety of the roof. These access hatches are also designed to blend into the glazing and fit the heritage requirements of this historic station. Off-site construction is very important in rail and as the panel is made and assembled in the Twinfix factory it allows for a very quick installation and also results in fewer errors on the install than other systems as any corrections are carried out before it hits the site.

Vicky Evans, joint Managing Director at Twinfix said “The non-fragile Multi-Link-Panel has a long list of advantages. The new roof system is non-fragile which is a very important safety feature. The Georgian wired polycarbonate glazing looks the same as the old glass so really is in keeping with the look of the station. The system as a whole brings the required key safety features whilst still being aesthetically pleasing.”

Chris Howchin, Capital Delivery Programme Manager at Network Rail added “Twinfix have delivered a fantastic canopy at Pembroke for the community and our passengers, being brighter, better and of course, in keeping with the station itself. The safer access panels alongside the incredibly resilient polycarbonate panels and fixing mechanisms mean that the canopy will be in good condition for the years to come, thank you Twinfix”.

Now finished, it’s a wonderful example of the Georgian wired Multi-Link-Panel system and Twinfix, AmcoGiffen and Pembroke station can all be very proud of the refurbished premises.