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SAFETY BARRIER & FENCING PROJECT

A5 Mile Oak VRS

ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS DURING VEHICLE RESTRAINT SYSTEM RENEWAL

We completed a scheme on the A5 near Tamworth, replacing the vehicle restraint system (VRS) in the central reserve.

Working together with the client National Highways and principal designer (PD) Jacobs, we overcame some significant challenges, to deliver the scheme to the agreed programme. Over the course of the project, we replaced 9,564m of steel barrier (single and double-sided) in the central reserve.

The scheme took place in three phases, using back-to-back lane closures and working behind varioguard barrier in certain locations to keep roadworkers safe and traffic moving. The scheme was mobilised in January and completed in June 2023.

Unusual foundations

The greatest challenge to the programme came in the form of an unusual foundation design. Throughout the length of the scheme, barrier posts at regular intervals were set into concrete blisters. These blisters proved to be more than superficial, being around 900mm deep. Our team proposed an engineered solution to principal designer Jacobs, who approved and formalised the installation. Although each blister required additional work from the original scope, the swift turnaround from problem to solution meant that the delays were quickly recovered.

Avoiding services

A lack of ‘stats’ on the drawings meant that additional survey work had to be carried out to keep the operations teams safe. Neither streetlighting nor lit signage was charted, while the configuration of the lighting cables was unorthodox. We commissioned a GPR survey of the underground services to give greater certainty of their location, while collaboration with Cadent ensured it was easy to navigate the medium pressure gas main. Safe working procedures and adaptation of the methodology meant that while there were numerous buried services and the presence of several overhead cables and structures, there were zero cable strikes.

To minimise future disruption to road users, other highway maintenance activities were encouraged, with the regional M&R contractor using the traffic management in the central reserve to undertake routine maintenance.

This was the first installation scheme we completed on the National Highways Scheme Delivery Framework (SDF) contract. We are Road Restraint Systems (RRS) Lot providers in the Central Super Region (Midlands and East) as well as Yorkshire North East and North West Regions.

Benefits

Safety
  • Zero Accident Frequency Rate (AFR).
  • Zero Service Strikes in a challenging environment.
  • Zero RIDDOR or Lost Time Incidents.
Customer Service
  • Litter picking and vegetation clearance of self-seeding plants took place before leaving site.
  • Identification of additional maintenance and response (M&R) works, taking place in same traffic management removed need for future closures.
  • Safer journeys for road users through the renewal of time-expired asset.
Delivery
  • Over 9km of tensioned corrugated beam (TCB) barrier improved.
  • Delivered to programme.
  • Engineering solutions to overcome unusual foundation design.
“Considering the challenges, great collaboration throughout by all. Great job!”
Lee Broughton MIETNational Highways | Construction Manager
Lee Broughton MIET