WIREDGOV

Key bridge gets new protection

HIGHWAYS AGENCY News Release (NWNOPS 01/0109) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 15 January 2009

In the first installation of its kind in the UK drivers and rail users in the North West are to benefit from a new barrier system that will prevent bridge strikes along the M6 motorway.

As part of the £3.2m overhaul of Rose Whittle Bridge near junction 28 of the M6 at Leyland, a new Delta Bloc System, specifically designed for the protection of bridges, was installed last month.

The bridge carries M6 traffic over the West Coast Main Line and the blocks have been installed to prevent and minimise the impact of bridge strikes. Incidents involving bridge strikes can cause long delays for safety reasons as engineers need to check for damage before re-opening roads or railway lines.

Work on Rose Whittle Bridge, which is half a mile south of Junction 28, began in October this year and is due to be finished later this month.

Temporary concrete barriers around the bridge have been removed and replaced with the permanent Delta Bloc barriers DB 100AS-R.

The new design will provide better protection of the bridge and the Highways Agency approved a containment level of H4b for the project. A working width of W5 enables the provision of a full hard shoulder. There will also be 500m of new surfacing added to every lane in both directions.

Marshalls' new Delta Bloc Bridge Systems feature a precast concrete barrier with a jersey profile to a single side. These are joined together by 'connectors' and the system draws its strength from each piece of the barrier being connected to the other.

Under a heavy impact, the barrier is designed to deflect in the manner of a heavy chain. The non-structural bolts that secure the barrier to the concrete foundations are also designed to shear off which imposes lower forces on the bridge deck than conventional concrete and steel barriers - thereby reducing the significant costs of carrying out deck strengthening works required for the provision of a conventional barrier.

Highways Agency Project manager Phil Hardy-Bishop said, "This new protection will significantly reduce the impact of crashes on the superstructure of the bridge reducing the threat of delays to drivers and rail users. The M6 and the West Coast Main Line are key strategic routes which is why we are investing in this new system."

END

1. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. We manage, maintain and improve England's motorways and major A roads on behalf of the Secretary of State Traffic

2. Real-time traffic information for England's motorways and major A roads is now available:

* From our new Traffic Radio service, available on DAB digital radio and the internet at http://www.trafficradio.org.uk To tune into the DAB service, simply press the "scan" button on your radio. The radio will tune into all available channels and you can select the new service by scrolling through the channels until you reach "Traffic Radio".

* On the internet at http://www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo

* By phone from the Highways Agency 24-hour voice activated phone service on 08700 660 115. (Calls from BT landlines to 0870 numbers will cost no more than 8p per minute; mobile calls usually cost more).

3. Before using a mobile, find a safe place to park. Never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency. Make sure it's safe and legal before you call

4. For more general information about the Highways Agency and its work, visit the Highways Agency website http://www.highways.gov.uk, or telephone the Highways Agency Information Line on 08457 50 40 30 at any time. (Calls to 0845 numbers cost no more than 3p/min from BT residential landlines. Call charges from other landlines and mobile networks may vary)

Safety at roadworks

The Highways Agency is working with the industry and road users to reduce the risks of working on the roads. For the safety of roadworkers and all road users, when you are approaching roadworks:

* Keep within the speed limit - it is there for your safety.
* Get into the correct lane in good time - don't keep switching.
* Concentrate on the road ahead, not the roadworks.
* Be alert for works' traffic leaving or entering roadworks.
* Keep a safe distance - there could be queues in front.
* Observe all signs - they are there to help you.

For enquiries about this story please contact Nigel Ellis or Barbara Ellis at COI News and PR on 0161 952 4507 or 0161 952 4515.