Keeping road workers safe during construction of major new business park

VRS will keep workers safe from vehicles and debris

Safety barriers are playing an important role in the construction of a major Northamptonshire business park and rail freight terminal.

The vehicle restraint system (VRS) has been installed to protect the workforce building the SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton Gateway, adjacent to J15 of the M1 motorway.

The barriers and integrated fencing are designed to protect construction teams from passing vehicles and debris as they work close to the A45 London Road and the M1.

The Multibloc F system, installed by leading VRS specialist Hardstaff Barriers, incorporates a surface-mounted concrete barrier with a combined fence, tested to EN1317.

Hardstaff’s VRS experts listened to the requirements of its client, Traffic Safety Management Ltd, and recommended the combined system as a crash-rated, space-saving solution.

Hardstaff Barriers is the leading manufacturer and supplier of roadside safety barriers and perimeter security systems. The company’s vehicle restraint systems (VRS), hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) barriers, perimeter fencing, concrete security barriers and access gates are all designed to keep people and property safe.

Northampton Gateway is due to be completed in 2023 and is set to create 7,500 jobs.

It will include:

• A Strategic Rail Freight Interchange, designated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP)

• Up to 5 million sq ft of logistics and warehouse buildings

• An intermodal freight terminal

• New road infrastructure and improvements on the A508, A45 and M1 J15

• Extensive landscaping, including new footways and cycleways

• A508 Bypass of Roade village
• Numerous junction improvements on the surrounding road network

Wayne Bordoy, Senior Operations Manager at Hardstaff Barriers, said: “We are delighted to be playing a part in this significant project which will bring many benefits to the area.

“Initially our client had believed that a separate barrier and fencing system would be required, but we were able to offer them our combined Multibloc F barrier, which saved them vital space on site.”