GRP cable management used in Jersey’s historic rail tunnels

Corroded casing in Jersey’s famous St Aubin’s war tunnels needed replacing as it posed a fire risk and needed frequent repairs due to high humidity. Marshall-Tufflex’s GRP cable management provided the solution thanks to its corrosion resistance and excellent fire safety credentials.

St Aubin’s tunnels were used by the Germans to store ammunition during war-time occupation. The original tunnel was built in 1898 as part of the Jersey Light Railway but was extended during WW2, taking the original 55m stretch to its current 130m, with an additional 11 tunnels off the central core. Parts of the tunnels are now open to the public and used to store road and civil engineering materials, etc.

For this project the Marshall-Tufflex GRP tray was suspended from ceilings to carry a variety of cables, including PVC/SWA sub main, lighting SY sub-circuit, fire alarm and low voltage signal cables. Light fittings have also been fixed to the trunking’s underside.

Specifier, Dave Atkinson from States of Jersey, said that humidity in the tunnels at certain times of the year is high due to water permeating through the hillside and concrete structure. This caused the existing electrical installation to corrode.

Said Dave: “We chose Marshall-Tufflex’s suspended GRP tray as it’s resistant to humidity and fire. Apart from putting an end to the corrosion issues, St Aubin’s needed a solution that would improve safety for tunnel users while also allowing maintenance teams to reduce testing regimes – something that was taking up a lot of time. Thanks its fire resistant credentials, the use of GRP has meant that periodic testing is now sufficient, in-line with BS5839.”

Marshall-Tufflex GRP cable management was supplied by Edmundson Electrical, Jersey.

NOTE: The tunnel system – Hohlgangsanlage – was constructed by German forces during the occupation of Jersey. They intended these bunkers to protect troops and equipment from aerial bombing, to act as fortifications in their own right and provide a secure hospital. Construction started in 1941 and stopped on the island’s liberation in 1945. Only a few tunnels were actually used and of these, only one was completed (Ho5). Post-liberation the tunnels were used for storage, which has continued. All the tunnels are privately owned, with one operating as a museum.

For more information email: marketing@marshall-tufflex.com

BELOW: Corrosion resistant and fire safe GRP cable management from Marshall Tufflex provided the perfect solution in Jersey’s St Aubin’s war tunnels.