First Traffic Cone in Space?

This summer we did something a little different from our normal routine of writing about traffic products. We ended up putting what we think may be the first traffic cone in space. We teamed up to help a team called “Scrumtrulescent” in taking part in the GISHWHES scavenger hunt.

Why a traffic cone? and why space?

With Elon Musk recently sending a car into space, we will soon be needing to think about regulating car traffic in space (well maybe not that soon).

For that reason, GISH set out a challenge to put a traffic cone or road sign into space.

Being somewhat familiar with traffic cones we were well up for the challenge. In partnership with Sent into Space we were able to launch our traffic cone and get some great photos, and even a video!

We think that it may have even been the first traffic cone to get up into space!

What is GISH?

Gish is a worldwide scavenger hunt that sets out challenges for all sorts of reasons. It was set up by actor Misha Collins and has grown quickly. With various prizes being awarded to teams that compete and win challenges.

Water Filled Barrier systems

When deciding which water filled barrier system is the right one for your application there is quite a lot on the market to consider. From small 1-metre barriers to larger heavy duty crash style barriers, there is usually an option somewhere which will fit your application.

2-metre water filled barrier
2-metre Euro barriers white and red.

Pedestrian Small Barriers

The most commonly seen water filled barriers are the Evo/Euro barriers. These barriers are usually Red or White and at the smallest are 1-metre long and largest 2-metres with a few options in between. They are most commonly used to separate pedestrians from traffic in a low-speed application.

highwall vs evo 1-metre water filled barriers
Highwall Evo80 vs. Evo 1-metre

Highwall barrier

The Highwall water filled barrier is a slightly taller and longer version of the Evo1-metre. The standard Evo barrier is not very tall so could potentially be hit much easier without being seen, whereas the Evo80 (Highwall) adds that extra bit of height for better visibility. The Highwall barrier also benefits from a higher fill level for more ballast.

reflective panel water filled barrier
1-metre Evo barrier with a reflective top panel.

Top Panels

With the smaller barriers, you may need to consider if you need a fence mesh top panel or a reflective top panel. The fence top panel is an easy way of adding extra height to your barrier system without the major expense of investing in a new system altogether. New to the 1 metre Evo barrier, the 1-peice reflective plank is now available which mounts just like the mesh panel but adds a reflective strip for extra visibility when being used for roadside applications.

Heavy Duty Barriers

For some applications like industrial sites, building or housing developments, tracks, lane delineation or distribution depots you may need a barrier which is larger and more visible which is where the heavy duty barrier systems come into play. There are a few different options available on the market and we offer a range to cover as many application as possible.

Heavy Duty RB2000 water filled barrier
Heavy duty RB2000 water filled barrier
fence top panel or hoarding panel with GB2 water filled barrier
Fence top panel or hoarding panel with GB2 water filled barrier

Hoarding Top Panels

Like the smaller water-filled barriers the heavy duty barriers also have the option of having fence top panels or hoarding panels. If you require a taller barrier, then a fence top will double the height from around 1000mm to 2000mm+.  If you need a more private solution,  then hoarding panels are the most suitable solution. For example, if you are working within a city centre and the footpath you are bordering is narrow then you may not want people stopping and congesting the footpath by looking through the fence.

Crash Tested Barriers

Within the heavy duty barrier range, there is also the option to have a crash tested barrier. The RB22 is a heavy duty barrier which has been crash tested and approved to BS EN1317 -N1 at 50mph. The RB22 makes an excellent alternative to concrete barriers as it is easy to install, lightweight for transport and no heavy duty tooling is needed for fix or fitting.

Water filled barriers - crash tested RB22
Water filled RB22 crash barrier

Track Barriers

One of the most common applications for water filled barrier systems is race tracks. Whether it be for Go Karting inside or out or driving experience days, water filled barriers can be an excellent choice for driver and vehicle protection.

Starting with the smallest barriers, the Rota series is available in either 300mm, 360mm or 500mm high versions. With different lengths available between 1350mm and 1500mm. These barriers are designed with a patented locking mechanism that allows ‘S’ bends and curves to be created.

Track barrers - rb500
Go kart water filled barrier system – RB500

If you require any more information or would like to purchase any Water filled barriers then you can visit our online store, or call us on 0800 978 8920.

Hedge Cutting – When Can it be Done?

Within the last couple of years under European legislation the hedge cutting ban time has been extended by 1  month. It is now illegal (in most circumstances) to cut hedges between 1st  March and the 31st August.

hedge-cutting-q-sign
Hedge cutting Q-sign.

The time frame has been extended to protect some species of birds, however there are omitting circumstances that allows hedges to still be cut between March and September. The hedgerow may be cut if it is posing a hazard to pedestrians or road users by over hanging a path or road, if parts of the hedge are dead or if it has been planted within the last six months of the year.

For more information on hedgerow management see these hedgelink guidelines.
We offer hedge cutting signs in a few different formats including metal signs, roll up packages and folding plastic Q-signs.

Folding tree / hedge cutting sign package
Roll up / folding tree cutting package.

If you require a hedge cutting sign or a sign package then you can either contact us on 01905 794 875 or you can visit our online store.

FlexBrite Bollard – Highly Flexible Marker Post

The SuperFlex or FlexBrite Bollard is a highly flexible road marker which is capable of taking continuous impacts from cars or vans without causing any damage to the vehicle. The Bollard has 4 reflective strips visible from all angles making them clearly visible at night as well as day.

Black and Yellow and Orange and White FlexBrite Bollards.
The FlexBrite is available in two colours, Black and Yellow and Orange and White.

The Bollard can be used to mark off restricted areas, access points, public drop off zones, marking out lanes or marking out parking areas.

FlexBrite flexibility
The FlexBrite post can withstand being completely folded over.

The Bollard is made from Polyurethane meaning it can withstand being  folded over completely numerous times without cracking, bending or breaking. If you are putting marker posts in and it is in area that is likely to be hit by cars than this really the best bollard for job.

Base of Flexible post
3 x M10 anchor bolts will see the post securely fixed.

The Bollard is available in 1 metre or 750mm .  It weighs 1.6kg and has an overall diameter of 81.61mm.  The base has a diameter of 97.11mm and can be fixed with 3 x M10 anchor style fixings.

If you’d like more information or a quote on this product then please contact us on [email protected] or call on 01905 794875.

 

Oxford Plastics Watchman MKII Planks & Ballast Tray for Watchman Barriers

Oxford Plastics are always looking to improve their products and have recently chosen to upgrade the plastic that they were using to make the planks which make up the Watchman barrier set. The previous planks were more likely to become brittle over time and discolour. The New HDPE planks won’t go brittle with age and are far longer lasting.  The new planks are now an attractive yellow colour distinguishing them from the older type and also increasing the visibility.

Oxford Plastics Watchman mk2 Yellow PlanksThe Watchman MKII is the best solution if you need to corner off an area and the typical manhole barrier is too small to work in. The kit is available in two sizes, the 1.25m which is pictured above and a 2m kit. The only difference in the kits are the length of the reflective planks.

Oxford Plastics Watchman mk2 barrier system post

We recently featured the Ballast tray for the Avalon barrier on our blog which simply hooks onto the base of the barrier and then the tray can be filled with either sand or fence feet to add the ballast. This tray has now been adapted to work with the Watchman MKII system. The tray hooks onto the lower planks enabling much greater stability in higher winds.

watchman-ballast-tray-perspective

The fence foot adds around 24kg of ballast and it is possible to add two per Ballast Tray.  The Watchman passes wind loading Class B with 1 fence foot or 12kg of spoil added to the Ballast Tray (BS 8442:2006 Road safety regulations)

watchman-ballast-tray

There are accessories available for the Watchman MKII kit including lights and ballast trays. If you would like a quote on the MKII Watchman barrier system then please contact us here!

Supagrip SafeKerb from Oxford Plastics

The latest product from Oxford Plastics is an improved version of the widely used SafeKerb. The Supagrip Safekerb has a rubberized edge – this means there is less of a bump going both up or down all whilst improving grip. This improved grip means that it does not need to be bolted down in many applications, yet offers the ability to if risk assessment deems necessary.

The new design also allows for a greater weight capacity. The standard Safekerb is suitable for use up to 250kg where as the Supagrip version will take an extra 100kgs bringing it up to 350kg.

supagrip safekerb situated on kerb for public access

supagrip-safekerb-rubber-edge

The Supagrip Safekerb meets all the same safety requirements as the standard Safekerb and has a safe operational height of 60 -160mm.

supagrip safekerb in use

The new design has a more rigid design then the standard version and is ideal for use with mobilty scooters, sack trucks, wheel chairs, wheelie bins and push chairs up to 350kgs.

oxford plastics supagrip safekerb underside

If you are interested in more information on this product then you can contact us on 01905 794875. if you would like to see other kerb ramp options then you can visit our online store here!

Cable Covers or ‘Big Macs’

These cable covers from Melba Swintex are a tried and tested range designed to cover any exposed electrical cables. Most commonly this is when an illuminated traffic bollard has been hit, leaving the electricals uncovered. These are sometimes also called ‘Big Macs’, ‘chunky covers’ and ‘temporary cover cones’.

A Melba Swintex cable cover in use
The Melba Swintex cable cover – used to cover up a damaged or missing

Made from high visibility yellow HDPE, these stand out from afar and allow any internal illumination that may be present underneath to pass through. With a height of 1.02 metres tall and with a 735x735mm hexagonal base, these are hard to miss. Internally, the diameter starts at approximately 60cm and tapers narrower, which means these are stackable. The base is sand weighted, bringing the total weight to between 12.5 and 17.5kg.

Front and back view of the Melba Swintex cable cover
The front and back view of the Melba cable cover with a ‘keep left’ symbol and ‘LIVE WIRE BELOW’ combination.

The most common type of cable cover is with the ‘LIVE WIRE BELOW’ band at the bottom and a keep left symbol, suited to the UK traffic flow.

Closeup of the cable cover base
The ~30kg sand weighted base makes this incredibly stable.

The Melba cable cover can be manufactured in almost any colour to meet your requirements and in addition, custom stickers can be made to suit your application. Common variations include ‘DANGER LIVE CABLE’ and ‘DANGER HIGH VOLTAGE’.

melba-swintex-cable-cover-types
Almost any colour can be manufactured (minimum quantities apply) and custom stickers can be manufactured to suit your application.

If you would like to order this product or would like to enquire about custom versions, please call us on 01905 794 875. It is also available to buy online.

The Enduramat Coupler and Enduramats

The Enduramat ground protection mat is designed to meet most temporary ground protection requirements. When laying many of these together an Enduramat coupler is used between each mat to prevent the mats separating over time.

There are two main types of coupler available.

basic enduramat coupler
The most common coupler
The new 4 way Enduramat coupler
The heavy duty Enduramat coupler

The first and by far the most common type of Enduramat coupler is the standard two hole solution. This offers a secure fixing that can be fitted or removed quickly and easily. They can be fitted in both directions, depending on the direction you intend to use the mats.

Standard Enduramat coupler
The standard Enduramat coupler in use

For more demanding applications, there is the four way interlocking plate. This uses four nuts to secure the corners of the mats down so that they cannot be removed without unscrewing each nut.

The heavy duty enduramat coupler with the top removed
The new heavy duty Enduramat coupler with the top removed showing its construction

The heavy duty Enduramat coupler are ideal for use when you need more stability and don’t want the mats to lift or separate. With heavier use or slightly more uneven ground the new coupler will not pop out where potentially the two hole type can lift out.

The heavy duty enduramat coupler with top locked down
The heavy duty Enduramat coupler in use and locked

Once the nuts are done up the mats will not move around.

heavy duty endurmat coupler with mats
The heavy duty enduramat coupler in place with mats

These are constructed from thick galvanised steel which makes them very strong and straight forward to use. The mats can be used for numerous applications and are very popular when using vehicles, plant or other equipment and want to prevent the ground becoming muddy or churned up.

To see more details or place an order for Enduramat click here.

STOP WORKS Sign Roundup

The STOP WORKS sign ( lollipop sign ) is specified in the ‘Red Book’ for use when stopping traffic for a maximum of 2 minutes per 15 minutes.  Two of these signs are required for maneuvering plant or works vehicles.

This post is intended to give you a quick overview of the type of STOP WORKS lollipop signs available and why we stock the type we do.

STOP WORKS signs
From left to right: 600mm non-reflective Zintec plate in frame; 450mm reflective with fixed handle; Our 450mm reflective sign with foldable handle and edge protector

There are three main types of STOP WORKS sign on the market – Start Traffic can supply any of these however we only stock one particular type as we believe this is the best of the bunch.

Our STOP WORKS sign

STOP WORKS sign from the front
The STOP WORKS sign stocked at Start Traffic

One of the key features of this lollipop sign is that it is collapsible. Where as rigid designs need a lot of space on the van, this folds up neatly into a bag that can tuck away almost anywhere.

Collapsible handle on STOP WORKS sign

The profile of the lollipop handle
A strong, reinforced aluminium handle with a virtually indestructible elastic cord throughout.
Folded up STOP WORKS sign
It can collapse down easily ready to be put into a bag
stop-works-sign-folded-up-in-bag
Our sign comes in a easy to carry case

The carry case for the stop works sign

The handle has been made from aluminium which gives it a rigid, strong and non-wobbly construction.

Stem of our STOP WORKS sign

The stem of the sign is made from a single plastic molding with a hand grip feature – as it’s plastic it won’t feel cold on frosty mornings either!

Lollipop sign construction

The core of the sign is made from solid aluminium, meaning it is both reasonably lightweight and rigid. The edges which are normally particularly vulnerable to damage are fully protected by being covered with an impact resistant trim all the way around the edge.

rubber end on pole

Finally the pole is finished with a rubber boot on the end – To prevent any damage and help it stay put when resting.

All of the above features make this product what we believe to be the best on the market. Any of these signs are also available in STOP – Children Crossing format, ideal for Lollipop ladies or men.

These are in stock and available for next day delivery from Start Traffic. To order please call 0800 978 8920 or order directly online.

Other STOP WORKS signs (the rest)

 

stop-works-sign-steel-rigid-stem-closeup

  • The 600mm STOP WORKS sign above is the largest of the sign types available. The handle is not removable, is made from steel and is particularly heavy. It’s size and basic construction make it awkward to transport and the welding may fracture over time.

STOP WORKS sign with fixed pole

  • The non-foldable 450mm sign is a more manageable size, with a solid aluminium face and steel handle, secured with two fasteners. There is no protection for the sign face edge and the handle is not quickly removable. The design is also slightly more economical.

To order our STOP WORKS sign, please call 0800 978 8920 or order directly online.

 

Tuff Foot from Melba Swintex

The Tuff Foot from Melba Swintex is another product to help combat the problem of pedestrian barrier stabilisation. It is effectively twice the width and weight of the standard foot, bringing the weight of the foot up to 5kgs creating both a more stable and stronger structure.

Melba Foot comparison
Standard foot on the left and the new Tuff Foot on the right

The heavy duty construction makes this foot far more robust than any other type – it is almost impossible to break or crack making it particularly suitable in longer term applications.

Perspective shot of the Tuff foot
The new Melba Swintex Tuff Foot

The Tuff foot is sold separately and is compatible with all Melba Swintex pedestrian barriers. This makes it a suitable replacement foot for the Gate Barrier, Boss Barrier, Master Barrier, Olympus barrier and all other Melba Swintex branded barriers.

Melba Swintex Tuff Foot
Close up of the new Tuff Foot fitted to the Gate Barrier from Melba Swintex