Truckcell

Congestion easing on M1 motorway, Leicestershire

Case Study
Truckcell being manually installed

Seeking new ways to improve traffic flow and ease Key Project Information
congestion on the motorway network the Highways
Agency is moving forward with the creation of
Emergency Turnaround Areas (ETAs). Used in Application Emergency Turnaround Areas
conjunction with removable gates within the central
reservation, ETAs enable the Highways Agency, in Location M1, Junctions 20-21
the event of an accident, to bring traffic management Leicestershire
procedures into operation and safely redirect traffic Client Optima Infrastructure
onto the opposite carriageway. Management
Contractor Geoffrey Osbourne
(Optima Framework Contractor)
Products Truckcell
90m2 per ETA
Installed Winter 2008

Benefits Rapid installation

Easy handling

Truckcell installation

The M1 in Leicestershire is particularly vulnerable to

congestion because of the unusually long distance
between junctions 20 and 21 (approximately nine
miles). As a result of the distance the scheme
required six ETAs along both carriage ways along
this section of motorway (three northbound and
three southbound).
In developing the ETAs the Highways Agency
required a surfacing option that was capable of
carrying high-load HGV traffic, offers a permeable
free draining surface whilst in appearance not
encourage motorists to utilise the ETAs as a lay-by.
In-situ concrete was quickly ruled out through
concerns over future maintainability. Optima selected
Truckcell as their preferred surfacing material and Truckcell unit

www.abgltd.com
 Truckcell stacked before installation

duly received approval from the Highways Agency. programme allowed, despite losing six days
installation time to bad weather. Installation of
Truckcell is manufactured from recycled plastic and
concrete blocks would have taken six weeks causing
each unit weighs in at only 12kg, well within Health
extended disruption to traffic.
and Safety manual handling limits.
Truckcell is manufactured from recycled and
The Truckcell was delivered to a stock holding area
recyclable material and is environmentally friendly.
and the required number of units were transported
The supply cost of Truckcell compares favourably with
nightly to the installation location ready for night
equivalent concrete alternatives.
time working. This avoided a limitation of concrete
units where delivery needed to be direct to installtion
location with mechanical off-loading adjacent to a About ABG
live carriageway. ABG are market leader in the design and manufacture
The Truckcell units were placed by hand thereby of high-performance geosynthetic systems for use
eliminating the requirement for heavy plant at each in a wide range of applications within the built
work location whilst also minimising the possibility environment.
of disturbing the bedding material. Once positioned Formed in 1988 ABG have a built a reputation
the cells were filled with a free draining in-fill so that based on delivering innovative solutions through
no drainage issues occurred. our in-house technical team, many of whom are
One of the attractions of Truckcell was the ability to chartered engineers, combined with outstanding
allow vegetation to establish within the ETA, unlike customer service.
concrete units Truckcell will not dry out the cell fill
or allow heat transfer during periods of hot weather.
This benefits grass quality and durability.

Construction details

CBR: Existing ground assumed at 2%

Base: 580mm DfT Clause 805 Type 3
free draining crushed stone with
a layer of geotextile top and
bottom
Blinding: 30mm sharp sand
Surface: Truckcell pavers
Cell Fill: Top soil and grass seed
Edge restraint: Timber supported by rebar
anchors

E7 Meltham Mills Rd
The choice of Truckcell allowed Optima to complete Meltham, Holmfirth
installation of the ETAs within the four week West Yorkshire, HD9 4DS
Truckcell in position before filling
United Kingdom
t 01484 852096
This literature together with technical data, specifications, design guidance, technical advice, installation instructions or product samples can be obtained by e technical@abgltd.com
CS-036-A

contacting ABG Ltd. All information supplied in this brochure is supplied in good faith and without charge to enable reasonable assessment of the practical
performance of ABG products. Final determination of the suitability of information or material for the use contemplated and the manner of the use is the sole @abg_ltd
responsibility of the user. As design and installation is beyond the control of ABG (unless specifically requested) no warranty is given or implied and the information
does not form part of any contract. ABG reserve the right to update the information within at any time without prior notice. 2014 ABG Ltd. www.abgltd.com