PSSA Newsletter - March 2019

NEWS  |  ISSUE 22 March 2019 – 10 – PSSA Member News Keep calm and go to London! A Midlands company specialising in anti-terrorism security bollards has completed a major contract in the heart of London to boost safety and security in the capital. Safetyflex Barriers, located on the GME Industrial Estate in Coventry, completed a major project in London’s Oxford Street to install its Truckstopper bollards which can stop vehicle attacks of up to 80mph in their tracks. The company, launched in 2008, helps to secure potentially vulnerable areas such as shopping centres, sport stadiums, government buildings, military, utilities and key infrastructure centres across the UK, USA, Singapore and Australia. Oxford Street is known as one of Europe’s busiest shopping streets, attracting an estimated 200 million visitors a year. Marcus Gerrard, director at Safetyflex, said: “We are proud to have been able to assist in making London a safer place for the people and buildings that make it such a great place. “It is vital in this day-and-age to have anti-terrorism measures in place and we have proven that our products are the best on the market. “We have worked all over the world and are proud to be a leader in this crucial developing market.” Safetyflex Barriers is rapidly becoming a world leader in anti- terrorist bollards thanks to its innovative and exclusive product range, which uses specialist steel to absorb high impact. One of the company’s first major contracts saw the team work to protect 22 venues for the London 2012 Olympics and in the 10 years which have followed it has worked across the UK. Marcus said: “We are seeing a lot of interest in our products from major cities across the world because of both their build quality and their aesthetic slim line appearance. They can be assembled quickly and have the power of larger bollards without the bulk thanks to the hard work that has gone into ensuring they are created to the highest specification possible.” Safetyflex Barriers complete a major project in London’s Oxford Street to install its Truckstopper bollards On the right track – StadiumTM wins major contract with Merseyrail Event management specialist, StadiumTM has been appointed by Merseyrail to provide support staff as it completes platform upgrade works to prepare for its ground-breaking new trains on one of the busiest networks in the UK. The work will include both station and line closures, and Stadium FM staff will be on-hand to direct and assist passengers onto rail replacement bus services, provide timetable and general assistance, and help passengers with luggage. The company will be working across the whole network of stations in preparation for the arrival of the new train fleet in 2020. StadiumTM specialises in providing stewards and event support at both large and small-scale events ranging from festivals and music concerts to football matches and other high-profile sporting events. Current staff members will be used, and the contract may also create a number of new jobs for local people as the work progresses. David McAtamney, Managing Director of StadiumTM, said: “We are highly experienced in managing large crowds and will be working with Merseyrail to ensure that customers continue to have a smooth journey while the work takes place. “This is our first contract in this industry sector which gives us a great opportunity to demonstrate our expertise in providing excellent customer service to large numbers of people, which we have been doing for almost a decade. “We invest in comprehensive training for all of our staff to give them the skills to deliver an excellent service. “At peak times in the central stations there will be a minimum of 24 StadiumTM colleagues on-hand to assist rail passengers to ensure they have an excellent onward journey.” Andy Heath, Managing Director of Merseyrail, said: “We are very pleased to award the contract to StadiumTM. Our main focus throughout the work is our passengers, and StadiumTM share our values in providing exemplary customer service which they have demonstrated at countless events across the UK and overseas. “Working with StadiumTM, we will strive to make journeys as smooth as possible throughout the duration of the work as we prepare for our new trains.”