Surface boxes

A surface box is designed to be mounted at the upper end of a bore or shaft such as may lead down to a water meter. The body (1) of the surface box has a cylindrical mouth (3) which receives an upper end part of a cylindrical liner in the shaft. A seal (7) on the liner seals against the mouth. Inwardly directed segmental portions (8) limit the entry of the liner into the mouth. An upper part of the body (1) is rectangular and has a rectangular lid (23) pivoted by pins which can be removed and replaced as desired. Both the body (1) and the lid (23) are made as plastic mouldings. A seal (28) on the lid prevents rain entering the body when the lid is closed. A peripheral gully (14) inside the body catches surface water leaking into the body through the holes (20, 22) for the pivot pins and has drain holes (15) leading to the outside of the body. The lid is held closed by a pair of catches (38) which are rotatable with a tool or by a pair of catches (51) which snap into engagement with the body.