King Highway | New Generation of IPV’s hit the UK road network
The first two of six new high specification IPVs were delivered to A One + recently for use on their prestigious Area 4 contract.
The IPVs, which are fitted with the new MASH tested Blade Crash Cushion, are being supplied on a long term rental contract from Safety Vehicle Hire and Lease, the specialist rental arm of King Highway Products, to A-one+ for their Area 4 contract. The vehicles also feature the latest DfT approved Red X Light Board complete with remote Convoy Vehicle signage
King Highway are the UK distributor of Verdegro products, including the new BLADE, which has already claimed a huge number of firsts for a Crash Cushion.
- The first and only MASH tested Crash Cushion currently on sale in the UK today.
- The First MASH tested Crash Cushion to achieve TD 49/07 certification.
- The First MASH tested Crash Cushion to pass all 4 mandatory MASH tests with 4 identical Crash Cushions picked randomly in one week.
- The First Crash Cushion in the world with test results under the preferred values in MASH
- The First and only Crash Cushion with all Crash Test Movies available to the public
- The First MASH tested Crash Cushion in production & eligible for use on UK roads.
Operatives carrying out repair and maintenance on the roads of Highways England’s Area 4 in Kent will be protected by the unique new crash cushion, which is designed to absorb impacts from heavier, larger vehicles with increased bumper heights.
The vehicles will also be using a new ‘Red X’ Light Arrow board, also manufactured by Verdegro and distributed by King Highway Products, designed to meet the latest requirements in IAN 187/15 for the use of Convoy Control Vehicles.
Both the Blade and the Red X have recently been approved for use on the UK road network by Highways England and the Department for Transport.
The Blade Crash Cushion measures 6m long by 2.4m wide and is named after the way in which the patented invention works. The unit has 12 internal ‘blades’ and during an impact four blades cut through the aluminium composite H-beams, with another 8 cutting through welded tubes, absorbing the impact. The remaining weak aluminium parts bend away safely.
James Richmond, Director of King Highway Products said:
“King Highways new MASH tested Verdegro Blade Crash Cushion and DfT approved Red X Light Arrow are both unique in their operation and are some of the most up to date innovative products currently offered to the UK Traffic Management market. These new products further enhance the range of Crash Cushions and Light Arrows we currently sell, and teamed with our in house rental and leasing business, Safety Vehicle Hire and Lease, we have been able to provide a market leading solution to the requirements of A-one+, with whom we are looking forward to working closely with over the coming years”.
Transport Manager for A-one+, Gavin Crittenden, says “safety of our operatives is our top priority, but we are also finding that self-delivering on traffic management and operative protection is more cost efficient. We went looking for a new impact cushion because cars and lorries have got bigger and we need tougher protection for our staff working in front of our impact protection vehicles repairing the roads, litter picking or clearing up after accidents.
King Highway Products and Safety Vehicles were chosen because they could offer us a one stop shop by designing and building the safest and most up to date IPV currently on the market, and then supplying them on a tailor made rental package which mirrored the term of our contract with Highways England.“
