The Project

The Gateshead Housing Company (TGHC) have recently completed major refurbishment works including re-wiring 110 houses in Racecourse Estate, Gateshead.
TGHC's Jim Charlton, Investment Partnering Manager, explained the rewiring options; "In considering the choices for concealing the new cables for the rewires on the Racecourse Estate several solutions were considered.
In our scheme construction issues meant it was just not practical to utilise ceiling voids. One costly and lengthy option was to decant all residents while works were undertaken causing a lot of upset and disruption to the residents. The programme of work would have had to be extended over 24 months to accommodate this".

The Solution

"The optimum solution was D-Line semi-circular profile fitted at picture rail height, providing a cable route without a dust ledge or sharp line. Gateshead Council's installers found the single piece design a real benefit."

"Drops to sockets were chased down the walls but the key point was that D-Line reduced dramatically the tenant’s disruption and the install time, with very satisfied residents who appreciated the decorative feature. The scheme has been completed within the programmed 6 months without the need to decant."

Selected Comments

Resident Doris Whittle commented, "You would never think there are cables inside. Its shape, and being at picture rail height, makes it look a feature of the rooms. We're really happy with the care taken by The Gateshead Housing Company."

As Alison Bulman, Tenant Liaison Assistant said; "We used an empty property to show the proposal to the tenants. They were very pleased to accept, and on handover our residents have only positive comments to make about the D-Line."

Stuart Fisher, Senior Contract Administrator; "The quality of finish could not have been achieved with traditional trunkings. We are considering D-Line system for future works and would have no reservation in recommending D-Line to others considering its specification."