Rising to the challenge with a shared green vision for RIS 2
ABG wholeheartedly supports the recent RIS 2 Shared Green Vision Report from the Campaign for Better Transport, which provides emphasis on environmental leadership and improving air quality.
Road Improvement Strategy RIS2 – Rising to the Challenge with a shared green vision for RIS2
Road Improvement Strategy RIS2 – Rising to the Challenge with a shared green vision for RIS2
As a leading manufacturer of sustainable geosynthetics, ABG has always focused on providing value engineered methods which offer environmental, cost and installation benefits over traditional methods of Civil Engineering. Our design philosophy takes into account a wide range of factors, so it is great to see guidance that complements our long held principles.
ABG supplied the first Highways England green bridge on the recently opened A556 Knutsford to Bowden link road. Key to establishing substantial planting on a concrete deck is a geocomposite water attenuation and drainage layer ‘Roofdrain’ on top of the bridge deck waterproofing and below the growing media, to create the optimum growing conditions for the plants. Both sides of the bridge are fenced to protect passing traffic from vegetation movement during inclement weather. Once established, the vegetation provides an aesthetically pleasing final finish, assists with air quality improvement and helps local wildlife.
The Campaign for Better Transport RIS2 Shared Green Vision provides focus on best practice and mitigating the effect of road building on the environment. This begins at road design and the need to reduce use of finite materials in the construction and opening of new roads.
ABG manufacture BBA approved drainage systems off-site which can reduce, or in some situations eliminate, the use of finite natural stone. ABG ‘Fildrain’ is a geocomposite drainage system which is used in many applications of road construction, the main application being embankment starter layers where otherwise significant quantities of stone are required that involve multiple vehicle movements. This also impacts upon local residents in terms of noise, exhaust emissions and damage to roads.
ABG Fildrain drainage geocomposite being used as a starter layer on the M8 motorway improvement scheme
Road embankment drainage solution using ABG Fildrain geocomposites
ABG Roofdrain and Deckdrain drainage geocomposites were used on the first green bridge for Highways England on the A556 Knutsford to Bowdon, Cheshire
Highway Works with a Greener Vision
Intensive Green Bridge Structural Drainage, A556 Cheshire – Roofdrain
Highway SuDS Balancing Pond, A1 Nottinghamshire – Erosaweb Geocell
Embankment Drainage, Doncaster UK – Fildrain
Embankment Drainage & Rapid Consolidation Ashton Moss, Manchester, UK – Fildrain 7DD
Vegetated Roadside Cutting, Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire – Webwall Geocell
We hope that the techniques outlined in RIS2 are recognised as best practice for Highway improvements to ensure that projects prove sustainable and enhance the local environment, while at the same time providing the necessary infrastructure improvements to aid local economies.