Signs improving Burnt Oak Station

Burnham Signs, the London Underground (LU)-approved enameller and long-standing manufacturer of signs for Underground stations, has completed signs for Burnt Oak station as part of a Tube Lines Station Improvement Project. Vitreous enamel is the sign material specified by London Underground (LU) for all their stations and used in many other locations as well. The material was chosen because it is attractive, able to withstand vandalism and brake dust, is totally fire resistant, requires minimal cleaning, and has demonstrated its longevity over decades of use on the Underground network. Vitreous enamel is a high-quality sign material made by permanently fusing a thin mineral coating onto mild steel at about 850ºC in a furnace. It is an extremely hard material and highly resistant to scratching. Aerosol or marker graffiti will not penetrate the surface and so can be removed by a suitable solvent. All the raw materials are inorganic making them highly resistant to UV deterioration. This contributes to the longevity of vitreous enamel with 20, 50 and 100-year-old signs still in use today. Signs on the London Underground are rich in heritage value, giving character and interest to the capital. Station Improvement Projects have the task of considering conservation issues alongside practical concerns such as clarity of information and safety. Burnham Signs have assisted in achieving this at many stations including the 1920’s Burnt Oak Station. Burnt Oak station was opened on 27th October 1924, built to be part of the Hampstead Tube that now forms part of the Northern line. It was constructed to serve the new London County Council’s Watling Estate. This station, like others on this line, is of Georgian character designed by London Underground’s architect at the time, Stanley Heaps. Signs of interest on this station included six old style roundels with architraves and the historic legends “(for Watling)” and “Alight here for Stag Aerodrome”. Two of these roundels are integrated into seat units. The original signs were retained by the London Transport Museum and, with approval and guidance of London Underground, Burnham Signs manufactured new Platform Roundels to the original appearance recreating hand-drawn lettering. Burnham Signs, a link up registered company, has now completed 15 sign packages for LU Station Improvement Projects since the start of the PPP in late 2002. The Burnt Oak sign project was completed for YJL Infrastructure Ltd, the prime contractor. Burnham Signs have also manufactured signs directly for Tube Lines and for other prime contractors such as Gleeson MCL and Gee Construction. In late 2004 Burnham Signs joined the Stocksigns group, this has further increased their capabilities. Stocksigns is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of high quality health & safety and custom-made signs. Established in 1955 Stocksigns has ISO 9001:2000 and Investor in People accreditation, supplying signs to customers throughout the UK and exporting to over 35 countries. For further information on why vitreous enamel signs are ideal for transport environments or company information please visit www.burnhamsigns.com or contact us on 020 8659 1525.

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