We are pleased to say that we have started work alongside our partners replacing the nine-mile perimeter fence at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall.
It is a mammoth task replacing such a large fence at a strategically important naval base like Culdrose - which is the home of the Royal Navy’s Merlin helicopters – and it is only the third time in the air station’s 77-year history this has happened.
It will take most of 2024 to pull down the existing structure and put in place its successor – which forms part of a wider major redevelopment and investment at the base.
The air station, which is outside Helston in west Cornwall, covers a 1,540-acre site – split by the A3083, the main road to the Lizard which separates the operational airfield from the administration and accommodation hub.
Installing this third-generation nine mile long barrier fence will increase security at the base and help keep unwanted intruders out, but it is not ‘simply’ a case of pulling down the old structure and putting up a new one.
The land around the fence line was cleared last year and replacing the project will include a major planting initiative that involves putting in place 6,600 new trees, shrubs and bushes. This will help improve the aesthetics of the huge fence structure.
Culdrose Commanding Officer Captain Stuart Irwin said: “Our current perimeter fence is well past its best and has been in need of replacement for some time.
“This project includes planting thousands of native trees and bushes to screen the base as much as possible, which is after all on the edge of an area of outstanding natural beauty."
We at VIVO will lead on the fence project alongside our supply chain partner Littlewood Group on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and will work in collaboration with Navy Command Infrastructure, and the RNAS Culdrose Infrastructure team.