Swindon, UK A419 solar panels to double-up as noise barriers

A popular road near in the UK county of Wiltshire may be soundproofed using solar panels which double-up as noise barriers. Swindon Borough Council leaders are creating a working group to explore the idea of installing the panels along the A419 dual carriageway near Swindon. The electricity generated is set to fund the scheme, possibly the first of its kind in Britain and targeted for completion within two years. Parts of the A419 already have standard noise barriers, with solar panels expected to cost €1.1
August 1, 2013 Read time: 1 min
A popular road near in the UK county of Wiltshire may be soundproofed using solar panels which double-up as noise barriers.

Swindon Borough Council leaders are creating a working group to explore the idea of installing the panels along the A419 dual carriageway near Swindon.

The electricity generated is set to fund the scheme, possibly the first of its kind in Britain and targeted for completion within two years.

Parts of the A419 already have standard noise barriers, with solar panels expected to cost €1.14 million (£1 million) per 1.61 kilometres.

The scheme is said to be supported by transport ministers and the 2309 Highways Agency.

The technology proposed for use on the A419 is already in use in Germany, Austria and Italy.

A progress report from the council’s working party is set to be heard by the Conservative-run authority next month.
Road Markings, Barriers & Workzone Protection

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Recycling road gully waste
    September 26, 2013
    Recycling waste gully materials can save costs and also meet tough European sustainability requirements, with one firm offering a novel solution The effects of the Landfill Directive together with the annual increase in Landfill Tax have significantly increased the cost of disposal of gully waste. This is currently around £50/tonne but is expected to rise to £80/tonne in 2014 in the UK, although other parts of Europe may differ. As a consequence, this has increased the operating costs for companies pro
    Read More
  • High-tech, high places: 3M in US and MetService in New Zealand
    August 1, 2017
    The US state of Michigan sets up a high-tech test road while New Zealand’s transport officials buy in some high-tech weather forecasting. The road safety division of 3M will provide the US state of Michigan with lane markings and retroreflective signs for a connected vehicle technologies trial along the I-75 highway. Around 5km of the Interstate 75 work zone in Oakland County will be transformed over the next four months to improve safety for drivers and test advanced vehicle-to-infrastructure technologie
    Read More
  • Golden opportunities in the MINT - Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, Turkey
    May 21, 2015
    Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, Turkey – Global Report offers up some food for thought about where smart money might be headed within the next several years – David Arminas writes China’s rate of growth may be slowing down, but other South East Asian companies are being quick to offer alternate investment opportunities, notably Indonesia. Nigeria, too, has had issues with security of investment. But there are signs that the government may be getting serious at last about tightening up rules and regulation
    Read More
  • Rebloc wins in Estonia with its noise barrier NB100/300_8_H2/W4
    June 26, 2018
    Rebloc’s integrated noise barrier offers maximum noise protection while creating a highly effective noise barrier and vehicle restraint system. Rebloc says that its system meets the highest safety and quality standards and is tested according to European Standard EN 1317 (vehicle restraint system), EN 14388 and EN 1793 (noise barrier). The main advantage of the noise barrier system is the combination of a vehicle restraint system as a concrete safety barrier with an integrated noise barrier. It features a
    Read More

Highlighted Content