Eastbourne Air Show 2019 HVM for Events

The Challenge: Protecting a Million Spectators on the Seafront

The Eastbourne Air Show is the UK’s largest free air show. It takes place over four days every August and includes Battle of Britain Memorial Flight displays and the world-famous Red Arrows. With more than a million people gathering along the seafront and around the pier, it creates one of the busiest crowded spaces on the UK events calendar.

HVM barriers installed along a seafront path

Food trucks, family attractions and deliveries all need access before the show, so the area can only be sealed off at the last minute. That meant any security measures had to be temporary, flexible and pedestrian permeable.

Surface Guard HVM in front of Eastbourne Pier

The Solution: Surface-Mounted HVM Barriers

East Sussex County Council asked Hardstaff Barriers for help. Hardstaff supplied ATG Access Surface Guard barriers to supplement the National Barrier Asset, installed in three locations to restrict vehicle access to the seafront and protect the crowds.

These temporary hostile vehicle mitigation barriers are surface mounted, quick to deploy and pedestrian permeable. One entrance configuration included a vehicle access unit so that emergency service vehicles could pass through the system if needed, and Hardstaff trained event staff on using the emergency access point.

Pedestrian-permeable Surface Guard along the seafront

Key Facts

The UK’s largest free air show, held over four days every August
More than one million visitors each year
Barriers installed in three locations along the seafront and in front of Eastbourne Pier
A vehicle access unit allowed emergency vehicles through when required
The system is tested and recognised by the National Protective Security Authority (formerly CPNI), quick to install and pedestrian permeable

The Outcome: Lower Costs and Faster Deployment

The lightweight system saved the event organisers significant transport costs and deployment time, while keeping spectators protected from a targeted or accidental vehicle attack throughout the show. See how we protect other major events on our event security page.