The Open Cable Management System provides a modern, concrete-free solution for organising, supporting, and protecting railway cables across both trackside and depot environments. Developed through over a decade of close collaboration with Transport for London, the system delivers an advanced approach to cable routing that is engineered for speed, safety, and long-term reliability.

Designed to replace ageing concrete troughing and accommodate increasingly complex cable arrangements, the system utilises our high-performance Anchor Screw foundations to support a fully configurable combination of cable posts, hangers, and rails. This approach offers exceptional flexibility in areas with tight access, congested services, challenging ground conditions, and where traditional excavation is impractical.

With more than 100,000 installations across major TfL programmes—including 4LM, PLU, JNP, and Deep Tube—the Open Cable Management System offers a proven, sustainable, and future-ready solution for modern rail infrastructure.

Challenges with Traditional Cable Management

Traditional cable routing methods—typically involving concrete troughs or cast-in-place foundations—can be slow, disruptive, and costly. They often require significant excavation, extended possession times, and large installation teams. In addition, concrete's environmental impact and long curing times create programme inefficiencies and limit flexibility, particularly in confined or asset-dense areas. Accessing existing cables for maintenance or additions can also be difficult due to rigid systems with little tolerance for movement, adjustment, or expansion.

Key Advantages of the Open Cable Management System

• Rapid, Efficient Installation: Installed up to 60% faster than concrete foundations. Foundations are ready for immediate use, enabling same-shift assembly of CRMS assets. Up to 10 Anchor Screws can be installed per hour by a single team.

• Concrete-Free and Environmentally Responsible: Eliminates the need for concreting, excavation, and curing time. Up to 73% reduction in embodied carbon (Hither Green study). 100% UK-manufactured materials with 89.4% material efficiency.

• Adaptable Around Existing Assets: Ideal for narrow corridors, congested utilities, sloped ground, and complex cable layouts. H-Rails offer 50mm horizontal and 30° angular tolerance for flexibility. Anchor Screws provide 7° adjustability for installation on uneven or variable ground.

• Cost-Effective Programme Delivery: Up to 40% cost saving, increased further with longer runs. Lower man-hours, reduced plant requirements, and minimal ground disturbance. Shorter possession times and simplified logistics.

• Safer Working Environment: Installation uses a torque head, significantly reducing HAVS risk. No wet trades, no curing period, and no on-track plant required. Available in GRP to create touch-safe, non-conductive systems where required.

The Open Cable Management System is suitable for a wide range of rail cable routing needs, including:

• Trackside cable runs – Mainline, underground, and overground networks.

• Depot cable management – Maintenance facilities and operational depots.

• Signalling cables – S&T routes where reliability and clear separation are essential.

• Power distribution cables – HV, LV, and traction power routes.

• Communications and fibre optic cables – Modern communications and data networks.

• Multi-route installations – Projects requiring several cable stacks or high-density layouts.

• Areas with tight access or complex utilities – Narrow corridors, congested assets, and undulating ground.

• Routes where concrete troughing is failing or unsuitable – Replacement and enhancement works across legacy networks.