Delivering a Bespoke Handrail Solution at HMNB Portsmouth

When you’re working inside an active military base, there’s no room for error. Every detail matters, from compliance and safety to programme certainty and long-term durability.

That was the challenge facing the B Lock handrail upgrade at HMNB Portsmouth, a complex infrastructure project delivered by KBS Maritime as Main Contractor, with Suttle Projects and KITE Projects working in close partnership to deliver a bespoke handrail solution.

A Longstanding Partnership

KITE Projects has been a key supplier to Suttle Projects for many years, first working together on early rail embankment contracts requiring step access and edge protection systems. Over time, that relationship developed into a trusted partnership built on reliability, technical capability, and an understanding of high-compliance environments.

The Challenge

The B Lock project involved the replacement of an existing handrail system within an operational naval base, interfacing with a 200-year-old quayside structure. There was also the challenge of ensuring the new system met:

• Specific loading requirements

• Demanding client specifications for finish and durability

• Compatibility with historic infrastructure

• Ongoing operational constraints of a live site

  
  

Design accuracy was critical, but so was flexibility. The solution needed to allow for tolerances and the unexpected challenges that come with connecting new infrastructure to centuries-old masonry.

The Solution: Collaborative Engineering in Action

KITE Projects delivered a full design and supply package, including the design, fabrication, and supply of a bespoke, demountable quayside barrier system.

Working collaboratively throughout the project stages, KITE Projects partnered closely with Suttle Projects and the end client, attending design meetings and developing multiple workable solutions based on feedback and evolving requirements.

This collaborative approach ensured:

• Client demands were met without compromising programme

• Designs remained compliant with applicable standards

• Maximum value was achieved while maintaining certainty of delivery

  
  

KITE’s in-depth knowledge of loading standards and compliance requirements proved invaluable, particularly in resolving the complex interface between the historic quayside and the new handrail system.

The Outcome

The result was a sustainable, site-specific handrail solution designed to maximise service life and support the long-term future of infrastructure at HMNB Portsmouth.

Key milestones have already been achieved, including:

• Installation of new handrails in B Lock

• Integration of removable barrier systems, now adopted as standard across the base’s locks and docks

• A robust, compliant solution contributing to the longevity of critical naval assets

  
  

Progress across the wider B Lock and D Lock upgrades continues to move forward steadily, with the handrail installation marking a significant step in the programme.

Looking Ahead

Projects like HMNB Portsmouth demonstrate the value of early engagement, collaborative engineering, and trusted supply chain relationships, particularly in environments where compliance, safety, and precision are non-negotiable.

For KITE Projects, it’s another example of how technical expertise, partnership, and delivery certainty come together to solve complex infrastructure challenges.