Barrier provider Solar Gates UK is a key partner on HS2, helping ensure efficiency and safety at every turn, not to mention every stop and go. Marketing manager Anna Blake discusses the operational support solutions that the team has provided for this mammoth project.
Despite the cuts to the project, HS2 is still Europe's largest infrastructure project and this colossal undertaking demands a huge logistical operation involving thousands of heavy goods vehicle movements, haul routes and extensive on site operations from London to Birmingham.
Solar Gates UK has provided a range of products and operational support to the project, with over a hundred installations spanning the length of the route from London to Birmingham. Its solar-powered barriers, including the SOSEC and INSTABOOM models, have helped secure access points, establish haul routes, and safeguard against over-height hazards.
A spokesperson from Skanska Costain Strabag Joint Venture (SCS), which oversees one part of HS2 construction, describes the impact of Solar Gates UK's barriers: ‘Within 10 minutes of observing the barriers, I could clearly see that this was going to speed up operations. It's massively increased our ability to get the job done effectively each day.’
The high speed rail scheme has a set of unique challenges and by collaborating closely with the various joint ventures tasked with the construction of HS2, Solar Gates delivered tailored solutions that prioritise site needs and operational efficiency.
One example is the deployment of SOSEC 200 and SOSEC 600 barriers at Paddington by Balfour Beatty Rail. Due to the busy location, the SOSEC 600 barrier was outfitted with a welfare hut to support the shift work around its continual operation. Updates were also made to the site such as pre-operation klaxon sounders to further enhance safety, ensuring public awareness during barrier movements.
Operating entirely on solar power and designed for mobility, the SOSEC barrier serves a security function, facilitates haul route crossings, and, most recently, has been adapted for in-tunnel use. Some barriers have been further equipped with GS6 over-height sensors, providing long-term or semi-permanent protection against overhead strikes. One user described the SOSEC units as a ‘two-way, double airlock’ system that has proven to be invaluable in improving safety for personnel on site.
‘While the SOSEC remains the primary choice for HS2, the INSTABOOM offers unique advantages in certain situations,’ explains Christopher Long, operations director from Solar Gates UK.
Designed for quick deployment and easier movement combined with a smaller footprint, the INSTABOOM is used for people/plant mitigation and traffic flow control. Custom innovations for HS2 have included off-board solar panels to ensure 24/7 solar performance, making it a valuable asset in various scenarios.
The team at Solar Gates UK has had to innovate and adapt throughout the HS2 works by listening to the needs of each site and offering tailored solutions. ‘The team has been extremely helpful,’ a SKANSKA representative says, emphasising the company's commitment to creating a safe working environment.
Solar Gates UK also fits with the culture of social value that HS2 Ltd has been keen to foster under the project. As a provider of renewable energy solutions, the barrier provider prioritises sustainability and social responsibility.
The company's ethos is also grounded in providing second chances and contributing positively to the community. For HS2, this saw one of the first examples in the UK of on-site bee hives – a small gesture some might say but one that exemplifies the team’s commitment to environmental conservation.
