The Gourock double cantilever canopy was developed as part of a £5m railway station refurbishment, delivered while the station remained fully operational. Designed in collaboration with the main contractor and consulting engineer, this 50-metre-long structure provides continuous weather protection without compromising platform circulation or passenger safety.
Engineered as a cost-effective yet architecturally considered solution, the canopy demonstrates how value engineering and structural efficiency can be combined within a live transport environment.
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Product Details:
A 50-Metre Double Cantilever Shelter
The Gourock installation comprises a substantial double cantilever shelter, extending 50 metres along the platform. Its twin-sided projection from a central support line creates balanced coverage while maintaining an open, uncluttered footprint.
Key design principles included: • Maximising sheltered waiting space • Minimising obstruction at platform level • Maintaining clear sightlines for operational safety • Integrating seamlessly with existing infrastructure
The double cantilever arrangement provides generous coverage on both sides of the support structure, making it particularly suitable for busy stations and interchanges.
Designed for Installation in Live Environments
Delivering a large-scale cantilever canopy within an operational railway station required detailed coordination and phased planning. Throughout installation, the station remained open to passengers.
This demanded: • Careful sequencing of works • Strict adherence to rail safety standards • Coordination with the main contractor and consulting engineer • Form B submission compliance and engineering approval
The structure was designed to accommodate site constraints and operational requirements, ensuring minimal disruption to daily services.
Structural Engineering and Value Considerations
Value engineering played a central role in the project. The final canopy configuration achieved the required span and performance criteria while maintaining budget efficiency.
Structural characteristics include: • Double-sided cantilevered steel framework • Optimised column positioning to reduce ground interference • Load calculations aligned with wind and environmental conditions • Durable protective finishes suitable for exposed rail settings
The use of cantilever principles reduces the need for perimeter columns, which is particularly beneficial where pedestrian flow and platform width must be preserved.
A Covered Walkway Canopy for Transport Infrastructure
Although developed for a railway platform, the Gourock structure functions effectively as a covered walkway canopy. Its continuous linear form provides: • Protection for waiting passengers • Shelter along key circulation routes • A clearly defined pedestrian zone • Architectural cohesion across refurbished platforms
This makes the design approach applicable to other transport environments, including bus interchanges and ferry terminals, as well as civic and commercial developments requiring extended shelter.
Durability and Long-Term Performance
Rail infrastructure demands robust materials capable of withstanding constant exposure and high footfall. The Gourock walkway canopy was specified with long-term durability in mind, including: • Structural steel designed for external use • Protective coating systems to resist corrosion • Engineered connections for structural integrity • Detailing to support effective drainage
These measures contribute to reduced maintenance requirements and reliable performance over the canopy’s service life.
Collaboration and Compliance
Working closely with Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering and the project’s consulting engineer, Broxap developed a solution that met both aesthetic and regulatory requirements.
Key aspects of delivery included: • Engineering design aligned with rail approval processes • Accurate fabrication to meet specified tolerances • On-site installation coordinated with active rail operations • Compliance with relevant structural and safety standards
Such collaboration ensures the canopy performs as intended while satisfying stakeholder expectations.
Integration with Broader Station Enhancements
The Gourock double cantilever canopy formed part of a wider station refurbishment strategy. Similar structures can be specified alongside complementary infrastructure such as: • Platform seating and waiting shelters • Cycle parking solutions • Bollards and access control elements • Wayfinding signage and lighting columns
This integrated approach supports cohesive design across transport estates and public realm upgrades.
A Proven Solution for Extended Shelter
The Gourock project illustrates how a double cantilever canopy can provide extensive, uninterrupted coverage within a constrained and operational site. Its engineered efficiency, collaborative design process, and durable construction make it well suited to large-scale transport and civic developments requiring long spans and reliable weather protection.
Construction:
Galvanized mild steel CHS and RHS framework
10mm toughened rear/central glass screens
Laminated Safety Glass Roof
Aluminium Patent Glazing Bars
Integral gutter and down pipe
DDA visible bands and manifestations
2mm pressed aluminium soffit panels
Standing Seam Aluminium Roofing System
Delivery Message
Broxap offer a standard carriage service for all products, this usually takes between 3-28 days as lead times vary on specific products and quantities.
Working with the Main Contractor, Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering, and its consulting Engineer for the Form B submission, Broxap designed a 50m long double cantilevered shelter...
