Southwick, Sunderland

The Project

Transforming a property with significant level changes into a fully accessible home is never a simple task, especially when space is limited and multiple practical challenges need to be overcome. In this project, our team designed and installed a compliant modular ramp solution that not only provides safe wheelchair access from the property to the public footpath, but also carefully considered existing garden features, utility access, and the long-term usability of the space. See how thoughtful planning and expert installation helped turn a difficult access route into a seamless everyday solution.

Application: Residential Access
Location: Southwick, Sunderland
System: Modular Ramp & Step Unit

Requirements

The client required wheelchair access from the property directly to the public footpath at a controlled gradient. The property, prior to installation, had a total of seven steps leading through the centre of the garden which were a major challenge for the client to navigate, being a wheelchair user.

There were multiple things to consider as the height difference from threshold to landing was so extreme, therefore maximising the ramp space would be essential for the ramp to be feasible. Meter box access, bin storage and keeping continuity access to the rear were three challenges posed whilst still trying to fit the recommended ramp sections required to reach compliancy for gradient.

The garden would have be to landscaped in a way making sure the property would be make sense should the ramp be removed in the future for other tenants. This would all have to done whilst ensuring the job could be carried out safely avoiding internet cables as well as water and gas pipes during the excavation process.

Features

The ramp needed to be suitable and fit for purpose, following on from our site survey we determined that the ramp needed to have the following specification:

  • 14,700mm of Metal Modular Ramping.
  • Two Tread Gate and Step Unit 900x600mm.
  • Balustrade Rails for sections greater than 600mm, in accordance with Document K regulations.
  • 300mm Trombone Ends.
  • New paved landing area retained with flag on edge.
  • New 1200mm x 210mm x 600mm brick wall.

End Result

Our installers carried out a fantastic job transforming this garden into a wheelchair accessible home. The garden was re-landscaped using flag on edge to retain sections of ground to prevent total excavation but also allow for a contingency plan to be installed by reinstating steps leading up to the door should the ramp ever be
removed.

A new opening in the boundary wall was created, rendering the edges to make good and a new section of wall built with mechanical engineering bricks to close the former opening, making the property’s transition look seamless. This was done in order to gain extra ramp space running right to left enabling us to reach compliancy, tailoring the gradient to the clients’ needs for safety. Balustrade rails were used for platform/ramp sections greater than 600mm from the ground, following Doc K’s guidelines for protection.

An additional platform was used past the gable end of the property coupled with a gate and step unit to allow for meter box access, bin storage and rear continuity access. This was a very effective, covering of three potential issues with one simple solution.

Gallery

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