Smithy Wood M1 Footbridge Protection | REBLOC RB185A H4a Barrier

The challenge: protecting a 1960s M1 footbridge

One of the UK’s oldest motorway footbridges was given a new lease of life thanks to the installation of the world’s first approved highest containment road barrier with the lowest working width. The Smithy Wood Footbridge has carried people safely across the M1 near Ecclesfield, in Sheffield, since this stretch of motorway first opened in the 1960s.

At around 60 years old, the historic bridge needed increased protection in the event of a collision, but limited space at the roadside meant there were few options available.

The solution: REBLOC RB185A very high containment barrier

Following the launch of REBLOC’s RB185A precast concrete barrier in 2022, Hardstaff Barriers, REBLOC’s only UK supplier, had just the solution. At 1.85 metres tall and 0.57 metres wide, it is the world’s first extensively tested and fully EN 1317-compliant precast concrete safety barrier with the highest containment level, H4a, and a working width of W1. The system also has an unmatched vehicle intrusion rating of VI2. Needing a footprint of just 0.8 metres, it was perfect for installation on the M1, close to Junction 35, to protect the Smithy Wood bridge.

The REBLOC RB185A very high containment barrier protecting the Smithy Wood footbridge on the M1

Working alongside Joe Roocroft and Sons, Hardstaff Barriers’ team of vehicle restraint system (VRS) experts installed around 200 metres of the barrier. The system was installed on the north and southbound sections of the motorway and connected to the existing VRS in place.

Very high containment concrete barrier installed beside the Smithy Wood footbridge as M1 traffic passes

Around 200 metres of REBLOC RB185A was installed on the north and southbound carriageways

The outcome: a world-first installation

Sarah Compton, REBLOC Highways Account Manager

“We were really excited about this project, which saw the world’s first-ever installation of the REBLOC RB185A.

“This system will greatly improve the safety of this historic footbridge, as well as many more sites to come, where standard high containment barriers just cannot be installed.”

Sarah Compton – REBLOC Highways Account Manager

Find out more about the full range of very high containment REBLOC barriers, or see how REBLOC protected bridge piers in our M74 high-risk pier protection case study.