Automated Vehicle Access Gate – Full Replacement & Upgrade
Perimeter Security | Access Control | Civil & Electrical Works
The Challenge
Hook Depot serves as a critical multi-agency facility for National Highways and Hampshire County Council, storing several million pounds worth of operational equipment including gritters, snow ploughs, and Highway Authority Traffic Officers (HATO) vehicles. Despite the value of the assets on site, the depot had suffered from persistent perimeter security failures.
The existing automatic gate had a long history of breakdowns. Its unreliability forced site managers to leave the gate open throughout the working day to avoid operational disruption, a situation that left the entire compound exposed to opportunistic theft and was exacerbated by the depot’s isolated off-motorway location, which had previously made it a target for thieves.
The replacement brief was technically demanding. The access point follows a curve in the road and requires a clear 6.5-metre opening capable of accommodating the largest vehicles in the fleet, operating continuously – 24 hours a day, in all weather conditions – without causing delays or hazards to drivers. The previous system had failed precisely because it could not meet these demands.
A second significant challenge was safety. Any gate operating on a busy access road serving HGVs and specialist vehicles must be capable of detecting obstructions before making contact with them. The client required a system that could provide free egress during operational hours and controlled access out of hours, without creating new risk points.
Site Condition – Existing Installation
The photographs below document the condition of the existing gate and control infrastructure prior to Hybrid’s works commencing. The legacy system consisted of an aged FAAC hydraulic operator and a weather-degraded control enclosure with significant corrosion and cable management failures.
Existing gate – FAAC operator visible
FAAC hydraulic operator and degraded control enclosure
Interior of existing control panel – stripped and corroded
Existing cantilever support post and roller assembly
Our Solution
Hybrid Electrical Solutions specified and installed a bespoke automated cantilever sliding gate, designed and manufactured to order by a specialist British engineering company with whom we have developed a close working relationship over many years. The gate and its integrated control and safety systems are custom-engineered for each site’s exact requirements, with safety at the core of every design decision.
A key advantage of this manufacturing approach is that the gate is fully assembled, powder coated, and all control and safety systems are installed and tested at the factory prior to delivery. This means every gate arrives on site as a proven, commissioned system, reducing on-site time, eliminating installation variables, and giving the client confidence that what is being installed has already been validated to work correctly. The gate carries full UKCA marking.
The programme of works was structured across five phases, with all electrical isolation coordinated through a Kier-issued isolation permit. Full RAMS and an approved lift plan covered the HIAB-assisted gate positioning.
Phase-by-Phase Programme of Works
Works Summary
Phase 1: Groundworks & Concrete Foundation
Excavation area scanned using CAT detection equipment prior to any groundworks. Hand excavation carried out using insulated tools with re-scanning at 150mm depth intervals. Formwork constructed from 18mm ply and 4×2 timber; steel tie bars drilled and resin fixed to existing structure in accordance with structural engineer’s drawings. Ready mix concrete poured, vibrated, finished, and cured over a minimum three-day period before formwork was struck.
Phase 2: Removal of Existing Automatic Gate
The existing power supply was identified and assessed by Hybrid’s engineer. A Kier issued electrical isolation permit was obtained, supply
isolated at the distribution board, and the circuit disconnected to prevent accidental re energisation. The existing gate was dismantled, cut into manageable sections, and disposed of.
Phase 3: New Gate Installation
The new gate system was delivered to site and received into the designated working area. Existing mains power was routed through pre-
installed ducting and prepared for the new control housing. The gate was lifted into position by HIAB in accordance with an approved lift plan included within the project RAMS, and secured to the installed cantilever support structure. Electrical installation included connection of the mains supply to the manufacturer fitted isolator and integration of the existing fob receiver into the new control unit.
Phase 4: Safety Systems, Testing & Commissioning
Laser scanners were installed, zoned, and programmed to monitor the entire roadway clear zone in accordance with safety requirements and the Inspection & Test Plan (ITP No. HES/ITP/KIERA3/003). Full functional testing, safety device verification, dead electrical testing to BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 (continuity of protective conductors, insulation resistance, polarity), and live electrical testing (earth fault loop impedance, PFC, RCD functional testing) were all completed. A Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate was issued upon satisfactory
completion.
Phase 5: Run Back Fencing & Handover
Run back palisade fencing was installed to the rear of the gate to prevent unauthorised access to the operational area and mechanical equipment. A palisade pedestrian access gate complete with hinges, locking mechanism, and padlock was incorporated within the fencing line to allow controlled maintenance access. H&S file, O&M records, and all certification were compiled and submitted. The system was formally handed over to the client following final inspection and snagging close-out.
Completed Installation
The photographs below show the completed gate system following full commissioning. The installation
delivers a clean, secure, and professional-looking access point that is a significant upgrade from the condition
found on site.
New concrete base
Hybrid ES Logo
Ongoing Installation of the new gate
Completed Installation
Technical Specification
System Specification
Gate Opening: 6.5 metres clear, designed to accommodate the largest vehicles in the fleet
Gate Type: Cantilever sliding gate, track and obstruction free roadway surface
Drive System: 100% duty cycle motor, rated for continuous high-
frequency operation at busy depot
Obstruction Detection: Laser scanners monitoring entire roadway clear zone – prevents gate contact before any obstruction is reached
Egress Control: Laser triggered free egress on a time clock schedule during operational hours; automatic switch to remote fob only egress out of hours
Civil Foundation: Engineered concrete foundation with resin-fixed tie bars; formwork to structural engineer’s drawings; minimum 3-
day cure verified
Perimeter Enhancement: Run back palisade fencing with lockable maintenance pedestrian gate
Factory Pre-Testing: Gate assembled, powder coated, all control and safety
systems installed and commissioned at factory prior to
delivery
Outcomes & Impact
Results Delivered
1. Depot Security Restored: The gate now closes and locks correctly for the first time in years, eliminating the uncontrolled open access that had previously made the site vulnerable to theft and unauthorised entry.
2. Zero Operational Disruption: The laser triggered free egress during working hours means vehicles can exit seamlessly without driver
interaction, maintaining the operational flow required at a busy multi-agency depot.
3. 6.5m Clear Opening: Achieved: The cantilever design delivers a full 6.5mobstruction-free roadway opening, with no tracks or ground furniture to cause issues for the largest vehicles in the fleet including gritters and snow ploughs.
4. All-Weather 24/7 Reliability: The 100% duty cycle motor and purpose-engineered system specification means the gate is designed from the outset for the demands of a depot that never stops – removing the single point of failure that had plagued the previous installation.
5. Automatic Out-of-Hours Security: The time-clock controlled system automatically switches to fob-only access outside of operational
hours, providing intelligent perimeter control without requiring any manual intervention from site staff.
6. Full Compliance Documentation: Inspection & Test Plan, BS 7671 electrical certificates, O&M manuals, H&S file, and all commissioning records delivered at handover – providing the client with a complete and auditable asset record.
Why This Approach Matters
Automatic gates on high use commercial sites fail for predictable reasons: undersized operators, inadequate safety zoning, and generic off the shelf products that were never designed for the specific demands of the site. Hook Depot is a particularly challenging environment – a large isolated facility with mixed vehicle types, continuous 24 hour operation, and a history of both security breaches and equipment failure.
Hybrid’s approach to this project reflects a fundamental principle: every gate installation we carry out is designed around the site, not the other way around. The choice of a British manufactured bespoke gate, factory pre-tested, with a 100% duty cycle operator and full laser safety coverage, was driven entirely by the client’s operational reality.
The addition of run-back fencing, correctly rated civil foundations, and a full ITP-based inspection and documentation regime means this installation will perform reliably and remain auditable for its full operational life.
Hybrid Electrical Solutions – Access Control & Perimeter Security Capability
- Supply, installation & commissioning of automated sliding, swing, and cantilever
gate systems - Bespoke gate specification and manufacturer liaison – gates custom-designed
for each site - Laser scanner safety systems, photocell and loop detector integration
- Fob, keypad, ANPR, and intercom access control integration
- Time-clock and remote management system integration
- Civil groundworks including engineered foundations, ducting, and service
protection - Palisade and mesh perimeter fencing systems
- Full ITP-based inspection regimes with BS 7671 electrical certification
- O&M manuals, H&S file compilation, and asset documentation packages
- Works for National Highways, local authorities, rail contractors, and private sector
clients
