Low deflection barriers debut on the A38

New safety fencing on the A38 at Alrewas in East Staffordshire will further improve safety for road users in the Highway Agency’s Area 11, as the first major site in the country to use newly designed, narrow, low-deflection barriers. 

The single sided Varioguard barrier is a first in the industry, and provides excellent protection in very tight situations. The barrier is secured to a concrete base at 4m centres, but it can be easily removed to gain access to equipment in the central reservation.

This new barrier design was required as the central reserve at the site was very narrow and had to accommodate lighting columns.

A water main on the route meant that a concrete barrier could not be used, and the restricted width of the central reserve also meant that conventional barriers, such as corrugated and box beam systems were inappropriate.

Optima contacted product specialist Asset International and explained these engineering and physical restrictions. Asset International and Optima liaised closely over the restrictions before Asset International prepared a design for a low deflection barrier.

The new style of barrier satisfies the Safety Standard EN1317, which has been fully adopted by the Highways Agency.

The entire scheme involved replacing 1.3km of safety barrier in the central reserve and northbound verge, upgrading the street lighting and hardening the central reserve.

The barrier is suitable for use anywhere where space is restricted, whether it is narrow central reserves on dual carriageways, adjacent to bridge piers on central reserves, or on verges on motorways.