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The project: the Heysham to M6 link road
MASS (Multi Application Safety System) was chosen by main contractor Costain for Lancashire County Council to provide increased operational safety to pedestrians, site workers and traffic during the construction of the 4.8km Heysham to M6 link.
The new section of two lane dual carriageway, with a footway and cycle way along the entire route, was built to improve access for residents, businesses and tourists to the Heysham and Morecambe area, open up areas for regeneration, reduce traffic congestion within the City of Lancaster and improve cycling safety. The link road opened in 2016.
New roundabouts, underpasses and bridges over the busy A6, motorway slip roads, park and ride facilities, and crossings over the Lancaster Canal and West Coast Main Line all meant site safety on this major highways scheme had to be at its optimum.
MASS barrier protecting the works as traffic passes under a new bridge
The solution: MASS steel barrier
MASS was identified as an ideal solution for such a vast project because it fulfilled one of Costain’s key priorities: allowing workers to operate safely, efficiently and responsibly in an environment free from harm.
Made of steel, MASS is durable and long lasting. The base unit has a unique design, incorporating roll-on and roll-off stability, utilising the errant vehicle’s weight to stabilise the barrier during impact. MASS can also be compactly stacked, so fewer lorry loads are needed when the time comes for relocating.
![MASS barrier system on the Heysham to M6 link with a digger in the background]()
Free-standing MASS base units separating the works from live traffic
Extremely quick and easy to assemble due to its unique plug-in sections, MASS steel barrier achieves maximum safety with minimum traffic-flow disruption during assembly and dismantling. The high visibility base units are free standing, and various top sections were added for specific job demands.
The outcome
When selecting MASS, its relative light weight and favourable shape made storing, transporting and handling from site to site a secondary consideration, helping Costain keep the workforce, pedestrians and road users safe throughout the build.
![Aerial view of the MASS barrier system on the Heysham to M6 link]()
Aerial view of MASS barrier along the new link road
Varioguard was also used on the same scheme – read our Varioguard Heysham to M6 link case study.
