APC Barriers (T/A APC Civils Ltd) were recently tasked with installing a barrier system to provide suitable protection around a busy concrete batching plant area at Washwood Heath, as part of ongoing work on HS2. The clients, P.J. Hegarty & Sons and Balfour Beatty Vinci, were keen to ensure pedestrian walkways, grass verges and the main operating area were all safeguarded to optimal levels.
The Spengler barrier system used is tested to containment levels N1 and N2 with working widths W3 and W5 respectively. With a dynamic lateral deflection of just 0.3m this barrier system provided the perfect solution. The free-standing barrier was installed in one shift at a weekend to ensure there was no disruption caused to on-going site activity.
The clients also requested that APC formed a U-Shaped barrier protection system to ensure a key part of the concrete recycling unit was fully guarded. The team drilled chemically anchored dowels into the concrete to prevent the barriers moving if bumped into by heavy plant or machinery.
Sam Smith, Planning and Operations Manager at APC Civils “The team far exceeded expectations from the clients and showed great expertise to install the barriers in the allocated time frame. Our operatives were able to find excellent solutions to the requirements of our clients. Clear instruction was provided throughout, allowing us to work together effectively to ensure a job well done!”
The site is to become a 2km long HS2 nerve centre, including maintenance depot and main control centre for the whole HS2 network. Creating approximately 550 long term jobs in Birmingham. The site, north east of Birmingham city centre, is where trains will be maintained, serviced and stored when not in use. A pivotal part of the whole HS2 project and one APC Barriers were delighted to be involved with!
Kieran Ryan, Project Manager at P.J.Hegarty & Sons “The concrete barriers at Washwood Heath were installed efficiently and without complication. The speed and safety of the installation process APC offer is the perfect solution for us. It ensures there is no detrimental impact on productivity and allows us to continue meeting deadlines”
