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

  • Highways England: new agency with long-term investment strategies
    August 18, 2015
    Highways England, created out of the old Highways Agency, was set up on April 1 to oversee a closer relationship between government client and private contractors. World Highways went to a recent forum in London to hear both sides declare their hopes and challenges. Government reforms are often met with a certain amount of scepticism thanks to years of disillusionment over forgotten ministerial promises. Given that, highway contractors in the UK could have been forgiven if they had raised their eyes skyward
    Read More
  • “Bold and brave” rallying call to cash-starved UK highway maintenance teams
    July 24, 2012
    UK local authorities and other organisations must be “bold and brave” in their structuring of repair and maintenance works, delegates at a key road engineering conference in Birmingham, central England were told. Speaking at the Developments in Pavement Assessment (DIPA 2012) event Les Hawker, highways manager at Transport for London (TfL), said: “There is no extra money and only 20% of the [Government budget] cuts have taken place so far. Over the next five years the other 80% of cuts will come through. Or
    Read More
  • UK ‘pauses’ smart motorway rollout
    January 12, 2022
    New All Lane Running smart motorway schemes halted until five years of safety data is available.
    Read More
  • Reading marks out Meon’s ECO ES RoadLiner
    February 20, 2024
    For road marking duties, the English city of Reading has chosen Meon’s lithium-battery-powered ES RoadLiner, developed from the body of a Graco LineLazer ES 2000 and the drive unit of the LineDriver ES.
    Read More

Highlighted Content