Securing our roads: Our enhanced solution to combat ironwork theft

Our easy-to-install temporary solution to keep roads open and safe when vital gully grates have been stolen or damaged has been enhanced. We are now supplying a heavier-duty version of the Multigrate product after increased demand from main contractors and local authorities needing solutions to the theft of gully grates.

Metal theft overall costs the UK economy half a billion pounds a year, according to a report from 2024.

Replacing ductile iron manhole covers and gully grates costs councils thousands of pounds each year. Thefts also leave dangerous open voids behind that create serious hazards to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

Our new 250kN MultiGrate builds on the success of its predecessor, a proven high-demand product with asset owners and network maintainers.

John Kiernan, product manager at Wrekin, said: "We have acted quickly to respond to main contractors and authorities responsible for roads and highways who are struggling to find the products they need to help combat this issue.

"Gully grate theft is a serious problem and replacing them can be a lengthy and costly process. It can often need several maintenance crew visits to install replacement covers, needing traffic management measures as they dig into the road, leading to increased traffic disruption.

"Our latest enhanced MultiGrate offers greater strength and improved versatility, providing a safe and secure solution for Group 3 applications, suitable for kerbside locations across the UK’s highways, main roads, and public road networks."

Traditionally, making a location safe would require the full replacement of the frame, cover, and surrounding materials. In contrast, the new 250kN Multigrate can be sized on-site to replace almost any missing gully ironwork and be installed immediately on the first response, providing a safe, secure solution that keeps the road open while full frame and carriageway reinstatement can be arranged.

Its innovative design, which allows on-site adjustment, means it can be stored as part of a crew’s standard equipment, ready for rapid deployment as a one-product-fits-all solution. Importantly, it has no scrap value.

Designed to be fitted by a crew on the first visit, its robust design forms a secure replacement until a permanent grating can be installed.

In addition to providing solutions for local authorities such as Essex Highways, we have been at the forefront of providing industry advice about preventing ironwork theft. Its guide for local authorities urges several anti-theft solutions, such as using gratings with integrated locking mechanisms.