ENHANCING its enviable "track" record is Bury firm Roxtec which has designed and manufactured heavy-duty cable seal solutions for Network Rail’s London Bridge railway station substation.

The bespoke frames, which at 218kg each are the heaviest products Roxtec has ever produced for the UK, are specifically designed for the project.

Together with the Waterfold Business Park company's sealing modules and compression units, they protect against the threat of water ingress, condensation, fire and rodents.

Mr Graham O'Hare, managing director of safety seal manufacturer Roxtec UK, said the rail substation project, part of the multi-billion pound Thameslink Programme, required all of the firm's engineering experience and expertise.

He added: "Network Rail commissioned us to seal cables entering the substation from ground level inside a trackside riser above a switch room. We had to ensure that the cables feeding from the switchgear substation to the tracks were properly sealed and protected against multiple hazards.

“To achieve this, we designed and manufactured customised frames to seal the high voltage cables. The frames, which had to both protect the 53mm diameter cables and provide ultra-rigidity for the tight radius bend, were then cast into poured concrete because of their weight. As a risk of condensation was also identified, each frame was sealed at both ends."

Mr O'Hare continued: "Network Rail needed multiple cables to be sealed, of differing diameters, and because of the sheer weight of the cables a mastic or foam alternative simply would not have worked,

"This job required a mechanically engineered solution and Roxtec’s strong track record in designing and building bespoke cable seal solutions was a key factor in us winning the contract.

“Our engineers were heavily involved during the design phase of the project and provided full technical support throughout. We also provided installation training ahead of the work and then sent a Roxtec representative to oversee the weekend installation."

Roxtec was founded in Sweden in 1990 and the company established its UK base in Bury 10 years ago.