Canterbury Christ Church University, a leading educational institution with a rich history spanning back to 1962, has recently taken significant steps to enhance security measures on its esteemed campus. With a commitment to sustainability and a focus on academic excellence, the university partnered with Jacksons Fencing in 2023 to fortify its facilities.
Originally established as a teacher training college, Canterbury Christ Church University achieved university status in 2005. Today, it hosts over 20,000 students across its campuses in Canterbury, Medway, and Tunbridge Wells, making it the largest higher education centre in Kent.
A new dawn for engineering and design
In a significant milestone for the university, the Verena Holmes Building was inaugurated in May 2023, marking a pivotal moment in the institution’s growth. This state-of-the-art facility houses the Kent and Medway Engineering, Design, Growth, and Enterprise (EDGE) Hub, as well as pioneering courses in Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Product Design, and Software Engineering. Valued at £65 million, this development is part of a broader £150 million campus investment initiative.
Security solutions for a dynamic campus
To ensure the safety and controlled access to these new areas, Canterbury Christ Church University sought robust security solutions. Jacksons Fencing, renowned for its expertise in this field, provided a tailored fencing and gating system. A total of 139.3 metres of 2.5-metre-high fencing were strategically installed, incorporating raked and stepped panels to accommodate varying ground levels. Additionally, 72 metres of fencing were implemented using bespoke cranked posts, meticulously designed in-house by the Jacksons team. This innovative approach allowed for seamless integration on top of the existing brick walls.
Balancing security and convenience
Incorporating a user-friendly access system, a 5.7-metre-wide double-leaf swing gate with self-closing function was installed, alongside 4-metre-wide and 6.5-metre-wide double gates, and a 1.2-metre-wide single-leaf gate with self-closing function and key lock.
The Barbican® vertical bar system was specified thanks to its sleek appearance, anti-climb design, robust construction, and vandal-proof features, ensuring a secure boundary without sacrificing aesthetics.
A fortress for endurance
To further bolster longevity and durability, the fencing and gates underwent a hot dip galvanisation process and were covered in a protective layer of architectural grade polyester powder coating in a specialised plant at Jacksons Fencing’s headquarters. This meticulous treatment guarantees resistance against rust and ensures a lasting, low-maintenance finish for years to come. Additionally, Jacksons Fencing stands by the quality of its products, offering a remarkable 25-year service life guarantee, aligning seamlessly with the sustainability goals of the development.
Peter Jackson, Managing Director, Jacksons Fencing says, “It’s both an honour and a testament to our commitment to security to be a local partner in this monumental chapter for Canterbury Christ Church University. Our close proximity, just under 10 miles away, ensured swift response times and reinforced our dedication to safeguarding this esteemed institution. Many of our skilled employees are also proud alumni of the university, further solidifying our connection. This collaboration not only fortifies the physical campus but also underscores the importance of a unified security approach.”
A spokesperson from Canterbury Christ Church University’s Estates Department commented, “The University’s Estates Department chose Jacksons Fencing products to secure part of our perimeter car park at North Holmes Road for the quality and availability of the product and it being locally sourced, to meet our need at the time for security. The design was approved through the local planning system with detailed drawings from Jacksons Fencing assisting. Overall, we couldn’t be more delighted with the result.”
