Heightsafe Complete Roof Access Systems Installation at Eurostar Temple Mills Depot, London

Heightsafe recently completed a comprehensive Roof Access System installation at the Eurostar Temple Mills Depot in London; which comprised of Kee Guard Guardrail Systems, Kee Walk Walkway Systems, Access Ladders with Rest Platforms and Kee Line Safety Lines.

The Client

Eurostar is a high-speed international rail service connecting the United Kingdom with key destinations across Europe. Best known for launching the Channel Tunnel rail link between London and Paris in 1994, Eurostar has since merged with Thalys to extend its reach across Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany.

Temple Mills Depot, located in East London, has served as a key maintenance and servicing facility since replacing the North Pole Depot in 2007. With redevelopment plans underway to increase capacity in support of future cross-channel passenger services, Eurostar required a modern and fully compliant Work at Height solution for the site.

The Brief

Working through their principal contractor Amey, Eurostar approached Heightsafe to design and install a comprehensive Work at Height system at Temple Mills Depot. The site was undergoing roofing and cladding upgrades to the main depot structure, and there was a requirement for both safe vertical access from ground level and a secure rooftop access route that could accommodate new installations, including solar panels.

A tailored solution was required to ensure safe navigation around the roof space, with protection from fall risks for those working at height.

The Solution

To provide vertical access to the roof, Heightsafe designed and installed two custom fixed ladder systems positioned at either end of the building. Each ladder system stood at 13 metres in height and was built in three sections, complete with two intermediate rest platforms. The ladders featured safety cages for fall prevention and self-closing gates at the top for controlled access to the roof. All components were manufactured and installed to comply with BS 4211.

At roof level, a full access and protection system was installed to ensure safety across the entire working area. Over 200 metres of Kee Guard Topfix Guardrail was fitted around the roof perimeter, providing collective fall protection without penetrating the roof surface. A Kee Walk walkway system was also installed, offering a level, anti-slip path across the 6-degree pitched roof. This ensured easy and safe access around rooftop equipment, including the newly installed solar panels.

To enhance safety further, two EN 795 Class C Safety Line Systems were installed along the central areas of the roof, offering continuous attachment points for operatives working away from guarded edges.

The Outcome

All systems were tested and certified to their relevant standards:

Kee Walk to BS EN 516:2006

Kee Guard to BS EN 13374:2013 Class A

Safety Line Systems to EN 795 Class C

Additionally, a PPE kit was provided for use with the safety line system to ensure operatives have the correct equipment from day one.

This turnkey solution from Heightsafe supports Eurostar’s ongoing redevelopment of Temple Mills Depot, ensuring that the site remains safe, accessible and future-ready.