Case study:
Varioguard Heysham to M6 Link Project

Asset’s Varioguard vehicle restraint system is an important traffic management safety product adopted by Costain and regularly used on highway contracts as part of their supply chain agreement.   

Junction 34 on the M6 Lancaster is undergoing extensive alteration with two motorway slip roads on each North and South bound sections being replaced with two new wider routes as part of the Heysham to M6 link project.  Part of a much bigger Lancaster re-generation plan, the old slip roads first had to be removed whilst still allowing motorway access during the construction of the new routes alongside.

Varioguard is the leading highway safety barrier system on the UK market. It is fully tested to BS EN 1317 performance levels N1, N2 and H2. Different working width classes are available, dependent on anchorage configurations. When used as a temporary safety barrier Varioguard is usually anchored at each end with four 500 mm long anchor pins into pre-drilled holes.

With work proceeding along both sides of the M6 motorway, Varioguard was removed and repositioned as work progressed. The hard shoulder and lane one were closed off to motorway traffic, enabling construction vehicles and site workers to move safely within the job remit.

Varioguard was identified as an ideal solution for such a vast project due to fulfilling one of Costain’s key priorities; allowing workers to operate safely, efficiently and responsibly by ensuring they operate in an environment free from harm. Their values ensure everyone at Costain is committed to being safe and environmentally aware, two points that can be attributed to Varioguard. Made of galvanised steel Varioguard is durable and long lasting, this vehicle restraint system is extensively tested at different performance levels, with test lengths that reflect lengths of need.