Bespoke Metalwork

Alpha Rail can design and produce a range of bespoke architectural fabrications including balustrades, railings, handrails, guard rails, Juliette balconies and gates. Bespoke metalwork and fabrications can bring your creative ideas to fruition. They can be used in public areas such as schools, parks and children’s playgrounds as well as in and around businesses and homes. If you already have a particular design in mind then Alpha Rail can work alongside yourself or with architects and engineers to bring your ideas to life.

A previous project that Alpha Rail worked on, involved creating a range of bespoke railing designs for a local primary school. The railings featured a range of educational, creative and colourful designs, which were designed to create an inspiring and stimulating environment for the pupils. Another more recent project that Alpha Rail has worked on was the prestigious Speakers Corner in Hyde Park. For this project Alpha Rail designed a specialist themed railing with rail heads denoting a Megaphone to reflect the rich history of Speakers Corner.

Alpha Rail have also produced and designed a range of bespoke fabrications for residential properties. A popular choice is a decorative internal balustrade, which can be used to add a creative and unique look to your home. If you don’t have a design in mind then Alpha Rail can work with you to come up with a design that suits both your taste and style of property. Bespoke fabrications are an excellent addition to any home, improving the appearance and in some cases even the value of your property.

Alpha Rail produces high quality yet affordable fabrications, using a wide variety of metals including stainless steel, copper, aluminium and wrought iron. They have an easy to use and informative website where you can see many of the previous projects they have worked on, to get an idea of what they could create for you. Alpha Rail is one of the leading bespoke metalwork companies, so call them today for a quote to make your ideas and designs come to life.

The Benefits of Wrought Iron Gates

Entrance gates are a great way to enhance your home, business or even a public area in so many ways. For a private residential property you can make the entrance to your property even more beautiful and unique by using wrought iron gates to give your home a smarter and more attractive appearance. Perhaps the most important benefit of installing wrought iron gates is the improvement to your homes security. Alpha Rail has a fantastic selection of classic and modern gate designs that can be made using wrought iron.

For Businesses and public areas such as parks and children’s playgrounds, the addition of a secure wrought iron gate and railing system can really improve security as well as safety for children. A secure gate will keep people out of public businesses, parks and playgrounds when they are closed and prevent any theft, vandalism or antisocial behaviour from taking place. Gate and railing systems are also used to prevent young children from running out of park and playground areas into dangerous busy roads. Not only do they provide security and safety benefits but they are also a fantastic way of brightening and smartening up otherwise dull or run down areas.

There are many gate styles to choose from and Alpha Rail will help you choose the best design for your needs. If you’re looking for a swinging gate then the most important thing you must consider is whether you want your gate to open inwards or outwards. If you are looking to install a gate on a slope then it must open away from the slope otherwise it will not open fully. Alternatively if you’re suffering from a lack of space then a sliding gate is the perfect solution, as the gate slides across the entrance and doesn’t require any additional space.

A more extravagant and luxurious option is an automated gate. An automated gate allows you to open the gate electronically rather than manually opening it yourself. This is a good option for a drive way of a private property or business car park as it makes it easier to enter through the gate in a car. You can also install an intercom system that enables you to allow visitors to enter through the gate easily and securely. Automated gates can also improve the value of your property, as safety and security are very attractive features to potential buyers.

Wrought iron gates are very easy to care for as they are very weather resistant and require very little maintenance making them a very worthwhile investment. Visit the Alpha Rail website or call them today to discuss your requirements.

Alpha Rail’s Range of Wrought Iron Railings

One Alpha Rail's most popular styles of wrought iron railings is the standard Vertical Bar, which can be seen in public places all across the U.K. Its straight lines and clean design convey an air of efficiency and authority without seeming oppressive. This is a no-frills design that is perfect for public applications, but some homeowners have also selected it to go around their gardens for increased security.

Another design in the vertical bar range is the Humber. With a square post, spherical top and round infills, this design is often used for street railings. Its elegant appearance makes it a good companion for brick, and it is often seen in conjunction with brick walls and railings.

Another variation on the standard Vertical Bar is the Kennington, which pairs square infills and posts with a decorative finial. It also offers great strength which can be increased by the addition of supporting back posts. The Kennington is often the choice for parks and other landscaped places.

Another of Alpha Rail's most popular styles is the Albany, with the same kind of bar railings as the standard Vertical Bar, with round infills and posts. The posts are sleek and modern, coming to a rounded point. With its air of no-nonsense authority, this design is perfect for places where image is important, such as high-quality office developments.

The Westminster has square posts, infills and finials topped with sharp points. The points make it difficult to climb over the fence, which means this design is perfect for places where security is the main concern. It can be seen around parks or landscaping projects.

For those who prefer a more aesthetic look, there is the Churchill. This design has square posts and infills with a decorative finial ending in a ball. It is made to look decorative, which is not to say that it lacks anything in strength. It enhances the attractiveness of old buildings and works well with gardens and statuary.

For customers with special requirements, Alpha Rail can make bespoke designs. In previous projects Alpha Rail has worked alongside schools to make bespoke fence designs that include colourful mathematical equations, as well as encouraging words for the students to create a fun and creative school play ground. For example the gate of blue Bell Hill Primary School has the image of a bell with playing children underneath. Another example of Alpha Rail’s colourful bespoke designs is the gate of a bicycle path that includes a stylized image of a cyclist, making the function of the path clear.

Take a look at Alpha Rails fantastic range of designs and you’re sure to find something that suits your needs and requirements.

Improve Public Safety with Pedestrian Guardrails

When trying to improve public road safety it is important to ensure you only use top quality materials. Alpha Rail has almost 25 years of experience working with local authorities and contractors to improve safety for both pedestrians and drivers. They offer a variety of top quality pedestrian guardrails and work with their customers to provide a high level of customer service. Furthermore, all Alpha Rails guardrails are manufactured according to the requirements of the industry standards.

Pedestrian guardrails are used in areas where there are a large amount of pedestrians such as road crossings and public parks. They are especially necessary for the protection of areas used by children, such as playgrounds and schools.

The purpose of a guardrail is to guide pedestrians to a safe crossing point and one of Alpha Rails most popular styles, used for this purpose, is the traditional unit panel design. This design comes in two styles either full height or with a sight gap to improve visibility.

There are, however, some areas where higher visibility is needed, as traditional guardrails can, at certain angles, obscure the ability of the driver to spot small children or animals. Alpha Rail offers Optirail, the high visibility guardrail as a solution to this problem. In this design, the infill bars are positioned at a certain angle so as to improve the visibility for drivers minimising the risk at crossing points.

For city centre locations or areas where aesthetics are also important, Alpha Rail has a range of decorative pedestrian guardrails. Special features can be added to the traditional guardrail such as decorative posts, rings and finials. Custom designs can also be produced to fit in with a theme or to improve the appearance of run down areas.

The variety and versatility of Alpha Rails range of guardrails make them suitable for a variety locations, from high traffic road sides to prestigious central locations. Their attractive, stylish and most importantly secure and safe features make Alpha Rail the first choice for many local authorities and contractors.

Transform Your Property with a Juliette Balcony

A balcony can be a great addition to any home. It can be a way to change the style of a home without spending a large amount of money and without too much work. There are several types of balconies; Maltese and Juliette just to name a few. When trying to decide what kind of balcony will work best, you may want to consider your budget, the amount of space you have to work with and what you are likely to use the balcony for. If you have a limited budget, and not a lot of space to work with then a Juliette balcony may be the best option for you.

The name Juliette balcony comes from a famous scene in the Shakespearean play "Romeo and Juliet". A Juliette balcony is used with French doors, which allows you a small amount of room to step out onto and prevents anyone from falling. As well as this it can increase the light and ventilation into a room and transforms the exterior of your property, making it much more attractive. Almost any set of windows can be removed to make room for a set of doors and using single glazed doors will allow in extra light to help brighten the room.

Alpha Rail has a stunning variety of styles and designs of Juliette balconies to choose from. The "Portland", "Byron" and "Washington" are all classic styles with a contemporary flair, making them perfect for any style of architecture. The "Rufford" design is a simple Victorian style that can add a touch of sophistication to your home. The newest style that Alpha Rail offers is the “Chatsworth”, which features a diamond design at the top of the railing. The "Lincoln" and the "Jefferson" reflect minimalism, which is perfect if you’re looking for a more contemporary style, whereas the "Cleveland" is traditional with a modern twist featuring wavy lines.

Whatever the style of your home, whether it is modern or period, a Juliette balcony can improve the curb appeal of your property and could even add to its value. Make sure, however, that you hire a specialist company like Alpha Rail to install the balcony as they have the skills and expertise to ensure that it is done properly and safely.

Guardrails improve road safety

Guardrails, also known as crash barriers, are placed on roadways to prevent vehicles from driving off the edge of the road into something dangerous, such as a large object or a ravine, as well as to guide pedestrians to safe crossing points. It is dangerous to crash into a guardrail, but it is even more dangerous to go over the side of the road into whatever the rail was protecting. For this reason, guardrails are normally only placed where crossing the road boundary would be more dangerous than hitting the guardrail.

Guardrails are usually found on the sides of roadways, and sometimes in the central divider, to keep vehicles from crossing into oncoming traffic. There are different kinds of rails used for different purposes. The A-profile barrier, or Armco, is most often found at the edge of the roadway. These barriers are made to bend or break when hit by a vehicle, therefore absorbing some of the impact and deflecting the vehicle back onto the roadway.

Guardrails benefit pedestrians as well as motorists. By keeping uncontrolled vehicles on the roadway, the guardrail is effectively keeping them off the pavement or pedestrian paths. For pedestrians, a guardrail can mean the difference between life and death.

As well as improving safety for pedestrians and motorists, decorative guardrails can also brighten up drab city centres and streets by using colour and creative designs.

It is hard to standardize guardrails for all types of vehicles. Types that are made to work best when impacted by cars can be too low for lorries. Guardrails that work well with lorries may be too tall for motorcycles. Despite this difficulty, guardrail technology has been improving, and injuries due to impact with guardrails have gone down. This is in a large part due to new designs in barriers and especially the ends of the barriers, and to improved motorist awareness.

Optirail is another form of guardrail that is improving road safety. When installing guardrails there is always the possibility that the motorist’s vision will be obscured. This in turn puts pedestrians at risk at crossing points where the driver may not have seen the pedestrian approaching. Optirail is a high visibility guardrail that eliminates this problem by using slanted bars allowing motorists to anticipate when a pedestrian may be crossing the road.

The Many Uses and Benefits of Wrought Iron Railings

Iron plays an important part in the construction industry. It is a very resilient and malleable material and this allows it to be used in various designs and for different functions. The use of iron in construction does not, however, end at the super structure. Iron is also used for its aesthetic qualities most commonly in the form of wrought Iron railings. They come in various designs and styles and are used as a form of protection as well as for decorative purposes.



Safety is the primary use for iron railings and they are commonly used in schools, homes, public parks, and so on, to either keep people and animals in, or out. Furthermore they are also used in car parks, theme parks and other recreational facilities to ensure protected areas remain secure. The other primary use for iron railings is for aesthetic purposes. Different designs and styles of railings can be used to create a more styled and creative look to a property. Iron railings are also commonly used with gates, which as well as providing security benefits can also improve the exterior appearance of a property or public area.

There are many types and styles of iron railing available. Here is a summary of these. The vertical bar system is the most common and is mostly used for security purposes. Within this range are other styles and designs such as the Albany, the Westminster and Kennington versions, amongst others. The bow top style of railing is traditionally used for parks and children’s play areas. Versions within this series include the Standard bow top, interlaced bow top, in addition to four other versions. Guardrails are another use for railings, which are mostly used as pedestrian guardrails and for cordoning off street sections. There are also decorative pedestrian guardrails used to revamp otherwise drab and dreary streets.

Bespoke or custom made railings are also a popular use for iron railings. These may be used anywhere; from gates and gazebos, to theme parks and the designs are as varied as the requirements and uses. Chevron and flat top fencing are available for almost any environment and are popular choice for their simplicity. In contrast balustrades add a debonair atmosphere to any home, internal and external versions mean you can showcase the intricate metalwork designs to all and sundry.

Iron railings are so diverse and can be used for all sorts of purposes such as Juliette balconies, gates, finials, handrails, arches, barriers, cycle stands and much more making them a great addition to any property or public area.

Expanding into the Residential Market

We are delighted to announce that we are expanding into the residential market and that our products and services will now be available to residential customers.

With 25 years of experience in the commercial market, all our products are of the highest quality and are built to comply with the relevant British Standard and Building Regulations.
We have products to suit any area of your home. If you’re looking for an internal balustrade, we can design decorative infill panels in different colours and finishes to make it a design feature of your home. Our Juliette balconies have proved to be very popular with our residential customers, so we have added four stunning new designs to our collection, meaning we have a design to suit every style of property.

If you’re looking to improve the safety and the external appearance of your property, then take a look at our range of bespoke gates and railings. As all our products are built to commercial building standards and regulations, you can be sure that you’re purchasing top quality products that will last for years.

Whether your home is a new build or a more period property, we have something to suit every style of building. All of our products can be supplied into the domestic market or we can assist you and help you to create your own unique design.

The Origin of the Juliette Balcony

Balconies have been, then and again, beautiful additions to a building’s facade. They are more commonly seen on areas where there are beautiful views like mountain ranges or beaches. In the urban areas, balconies are built not as a part of the house to stand on but more of a architectural design to give a medieval effect.

The term Balcony came from the Old Italian word balcony which means beam. It is described as a platform protruding from a wall or building and supported by columns and enclosed with a balustrade.

Modern designs use metal railings as a substitute for balustrade.



Balconies are more often used for ceremonial purposes. In the medieval times, Kings and Queens often wave and smile to their subjects while standing on a balcony giving an effect that they are above anyone and their word is law. In Rome, Italy, a newly elected Pope first shows up on the balcony for the first time for the whole world to see. This is where the Pope also celebrates mass. In churches, the balcony is more of a place for choirs so their voices will have a resounding effect on the attendee’s ears.

The most notable balcony has been used on plays most especially in William Shakespeare’s tragedy; Romeo and Juliet. There is a scene in the play where Juliet stands on a balcony while Romeo is courting her. Because of this scene balconies have been called Juliette Balconies. Although balcony where Juliet was standing was made of concrete and enclosed by balustrades, modern balconies are designs have been improved to be cost effective and easy to install.

Manufacturers now use metal railings to support and enclose balconies. European manufacturers like Alpha Rail often seek consultancy and accreditation from the European Fencing Industry Association for a suitable design. The founders of European Fencing Industry Association aim to represent all interests in designing, manufacturing and installing of fences. Alpha Rail’s designs fit perfectly on the modern world’s tastes. Some of their designs include the Portland, the Byron, the Rufford and the Chatsworth. Because of the increasing popularity and demand of Juliette Balconies, Alpha Rail has added 4 more designs and named after United States Presidents.

The Washington balcony design has criss-cross patterns on the top and at the bottom corners of the rail for a geometric detail. The Lincoln’s design is more modern and reflects minimalism perfect for simple but more urban like homes. The Jefferson is more like the Washington with the criss-cross pattern replaced with circles but still reflects the same elegance. The Cleveland is simpler with wavy rails strategically placed after two straight ones creating an optical illusion that the whole balcony is made of gelatin.

Guardrails and Safety

Guard railings are commonly installed at various institutions and facilities. There’s a high chance you come across them regularly in daily life.

Among the places where guard rails are commonly seen include schools, train stations, road sides, hospitals, stadiums and shopping centres to name a few. These fixtures are normally at waist level and are usually in place for safety or practical purposes such as forming queue lines.

Pedestrian fences and guard rails are used primarily in urban areas at busy junctions and sections of roads to both protect the public and get them to use pedestrian crossings as opposed to crossing busy roads at potentially unsuitable points.

For road safety purposes our pedestrian guardrails ensure utmost safety for pedestrians. We achieve this safety by designing our pedestrian guard rail such that passing pedestrians are highly visible to passing motorists. Our own Optirail™ high visibility pedestrian guard railings are constructed to give pedestrians approaching crossings much improved visibility to nearby motorists.

Railings installed at train and underground stations provide a very different purpose. Without an obvious way to queue, it is difficult for lines to form which is inefficient. With guard rails in place, commuters are more disciplined and ensures people line up in an orderly manner to purchase tickets.

Beyond road safety and people traffic management, railings provide those with disabilities a helping hand in getting up and down stairs and other potentially hazardous walkways.

Modern manufacturing techniques and powder coating also means railings can be produced that both serve a functional purpose while looking attractive and blending in with their surroundings. A finish can be chosen to match the look of the nearby street furniture. For the ultimate in design, custom made railings can be manufactured and can include decoration such as attractive posts and finials.

The Elegant Grandeur Of Juliette Balconies

The Elegant Grandeur Of Juliette Balconies

As a perspective homeowner, the architectural structures of modern buildings has often been overlooked in favor of practicality.That's now a thing of the past, as everyone is clamoring for attractive additions which add distinction and charm.

Whether referring to townhomes, condos or single family homes, a captivating - and often practical - element is the addition of a balcony. Many envision this area as a spot for entertaining or simply relaxing on their favorite lounge chair. Nowadays there's a popular alternative to that scene - a modification of the traditional balcony.

Known as Juliette Balconies, this elegant, albeit less functional, addition is fast becoming a celebrated and stylish addition. Among homeowners who are renovating and considering add-ons, the Juliette balcony is now a mainstream in many aspects.

Taking a look at what makes this style so desirable, those who have one in their home can attest to its worth. To the beholder's eye from outside, this ornate feature might appear to be an impractical appendage. Looks are deceiving in this case, because this home accessory does actually serve a purpose.

The railing is typically installed in front of a sliding glass door, or two french-style doors. Not only does this provide an enchanting allure, it enables you to open your door(s) wide, imbuing the room with an airy and breezy ambiance. When a simple window is not enough, you will have the benefit of a fully functional sliding glass door (or french doors). This iron railing will also provide insurance of safety, as it will act as a window guard.

You'll find this design becoming increasingly popular in modern apartments and townhomes. The name is taken from the classic scene from the love-inspired script of Romeo and Juliette. For those who feel the ordinary balcony is too commonplace, and desire something a bit more inspired, the Juliette Balcony offers a semblance of romantic flair.

There are various patterns, shapes and designs to choose from when selecting to install a Juliette Balcony. In some designs there might be a consolidation of several materials being used to give the piece distinction. If so inclined, one might plan on undertaking this job themselves in a do-it-yourself home project. Taking on such a DIY project however would require knowledge. It's a safer bet in most situations to leave the addition to a trained and skilled professional who has experience in constructing and installing Juliette Balconies.

ALPHA RAIL CELEBRATES 25 YEARS!

This year we are celebrating our 25th year of trading. Here, Phil Ball, Sales Director, reflects on what should be an exciting year ahead for the company.

“When the business was first established, it was based on a number of principles, which still ring true today. Good customer service, a quality product and UK manufacturing. Not many companies, especially in our industry can claim to offer all these things. Some have, for example, allowed themselves to start competing on price, which means the quality of the product has suffered. Others have cut their prices by sourcing from the Far East, which means clients often end up with an inferior quality product that doesn’t look as good or last very long either. Added to this are the extended lead times from these regions, which can result in numerous issues on site.

Very few of our competitors have managed to keep their own team of skilled craftsmen and a UK manufacturing plant, whereas we have! This means we can be extremely responsive to customer requirements and deliver bespoke products at good value prices. We are proud of our commitment to UK manufacturing and it is our dedication to quality and service that has ensured we are still around today!

We haven’t stood still or become complacent over the years either. We have extended our range, so we can offer both standard and bespoke products to meet customer needs in both the commercial and domestic markets. Three years ago, we responded to market demand with a new range of Juliette Balconies. We have since added new designs to meet buyer requirements and market trends, in helping them make the most of their attractive French windows and patio doors.

Over the years, we’ve gained an in-depth understanding of the needs of our customers, whether they be contractors, local authorities, housebuilders, housing associations, park authorities and groundwork trusts or individual self builders. That means we have the experience to advise clients on what product best meets their needs.

We have also invested in our business and quality assurance is vitally important to us. We secured ISO 9001 and were one of the first in our industry to secure ISO14001 the internationally recognised environmental standard, back in 2004. This meant we could demonstrate the quality standards in place to work on a number of high profile public and private sector projects, whilst also demonstrating high levels of environmental responsibility. We also became accredited to the Contractors Health & Safety Assessment scheme, which meant we could work on any UK site without any health & safety issues.

Partnership has been core to our success. We have developed strong working relationships with contractors, local authorities and other customers. They have come to recognise that we can be relied upon to offer complete project management, from site surveys, to design assisted services and working out often complex calculations to ensure the product delivered is accurate and fit for purpose.

One of the reasons for our success, we think, is our versatility. We offer a truly flexible service, whether a customer wants a standard set of vertical bar railings, a design for a finial replicating in a historic style, right through to a completely contemporary style of gate incorporating a school’s name and children’s pictures.

Whatever the size of job, we project manage the whole process. This means we offer product unfinished, supply only, site painting or with full powder coating.

We’ve worked all over the country in the past 25 years, from providing gates and railings to Battersea Park in London, to railings alongside the beachfront at Scarborough and huge film camera sculptures at Elstree Studios!

We are proud of our achievements and now in our 25th year, we would like to thank our customers for their loyalty and commitment over the years. Myself and all the team at Alpha Rail look forward to continuing to deliver you a high quality product at the right price, to meet your requirements."

War Memorial Protected and Preserved with New Railings

One of the UK’s leading manufacturers of bespoke architectural metalwork, Alpha Rail, has manufactured and supplied decorative railings to protect a war memorial, situated in Nelson Square in Bolton.

Bolton Council specified vertical bar railings, after veterans and local people complained that the war memorial was being damaged by vandals. In an ironic twist, back in the 1940s, the previous railings that protected it were taken down to aid in the War effort.

The railings have decorative finials, with an attractive arrow head design which was used to complement the style of other original listed railings nearby. The design of the railings included an attractive Poppy motif, as a symbol of remembrance, as well as the red rose of Lancashire. Almost 23 metres of 1.4m high railings were supplied by Alpha Rail, which provide protection to the war memorial and created a secluded area around which war veterans and local people could gather on Remembrance Day.


Main contractor County Landscapes Ltd commissioned Alpha Rail to design-assist and produce the decorative railings, to meet the Council’s Landscape Architect’s exact specification. The railings were then jet black powder coated by the metalwork company to provide a superior and long lasting finish.

Keith Wells from County Landscapes said: “The memorial is the first stage of a larger project, which will see the perimeter of the area also benefiting from decorative railings. We have worked with Alpha Rail before and knew their capabilities in creating a technical railing design that met the client’s requirements perfectly.”

Phil Ball, Sales Director at Alpha Rail, explains: “The project brief for the decorative railings was extremely detailed and gave us the opportunity to demonstrate our design-assist services and the skills of our fabricators. Many local authorities are recognising the benefits of investing in their local parks and landscaped areas in order to protect and preserve them for the enjoyment of local people and the benefit of future generations.”

Alpha Rail, which is based in Nottinghamshire, has extensive experience in creating stunning and technical railings for schools, parks and gardens alike. The Nelson Square War Memorial is the latest in a list of prestigious projects that Alpha Rail has supplied with new railings and gates, with others including the Netteswell memorial, St Leonard’s Gardens Dorchester Gardens, Wollaton Park in Nottingham, Battersea Park in Wandsworth (winner of a Civic Trust Award), Roundhay Park in Leeds and Handsworth Park in Birmingham.