Choosing wood-steel crash barriers is not only the best way to ensure a high level of safety for road users, but also a major ecological commitment. As part of the renovation of the Wineham Lane Bridge, the West Sussex County Council has combined safety improvement with “green” engineering. Tertu’s T18 steel backed timber guardrail was logically chosen to secure the shoulders because of its many environmental benefits :
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The Douglas fir, the green option
Indeed, Tertu timber barriers are made from Douglas fir, also called “Oregon Pine”. This resinous species is well known for both its natural strength and durability. France supplies 80% of the European Douglas fir ressource, meaning that Tertu has an easy access to this species, close to its Normandy based production site.
The company thus helps to promote a local resource (in competition with exotic wood for “outdoor” use) and contributes more generally to the activity of the wood industry in France. Tertu has obtained the PEFC label (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification). This certification confirms that all the timber barriers components come from a sustainable French forest management plan.
In addition, the use of wood captures atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) in solid form. Consequently, using one cubic meter of wood means storing in the meantime one ton of carbon dioxide.
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Renovation and recycling
Beyond Douglas fir’s own characteristics, Tertu wood-steel restraint systems present also the advantage of being easily renewed thanks to the Nova Vita service. Thus, in case of deterioration or for maintaining the good-looking aspect of the wood after aging, it is possible to change only the affected rails and replace them with brand new components without disassembling the entire system. This obvious economic gain is also ecological since Tertu offers to take back used wood components for shipping them to a recycling process.
As part of the Wineham project, the implementation of the Tertu wooden barriers was combined with several ecological approaches :
- Wildlife shelters built under the bridge to facilitate the movement of animals
- A “grid” concrete allowing the regrowth of grass on the ground
- Replacing the old concrete side walls with natural reinforced earth embankments
Once again showed by this project, the choice of steel backed timber guardrails provides safety for road users, including pedestrians, while respecting the environment and the aesthetic aspect of the site where they are installed.
The Wineham lane bridge project has been supplied by our English partner Highway Care.