We recently had the opportunity to work with Jersey Airport and lead contractor Brenwal to provide a robust ground protection solution. The project required a high-performance trackway to facilitate heavy vehicle movement across sensitive areas of the airport's infrastructure without compromising the integrity of the site.
The Challenge
Jersey Airport faced a significant logistical challenge: they required a temporary access route across soft, grassed ground to allow for the safe and regular movement of vehicles around the airport perimeter.
The requirements for this project were demanding. The trackway needed to support extremely heavy loads, including 50-tonne fire engines, without the ground yielding. Furthermore, the solution had to be:
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Quick to install to minimise disruption within a live, high-security operational environment.
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Highly protective of the underlying grass and subsoil to avoid long-term environmental damage.
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Reliable in all weather, maintaining traction and stability throughout wet and winter conditions.
The Solution
To meet these heavy-duty requirements, Proguard® Heavy Duty Access Mats were selected to create a continuous temporary trackway. These mats are specifically engineered to spread heavy loads effectively, preventing the rutting and ground displacement that usually occurs when heavy machinery traverses soft terrain.
The installation process was designed for speed and stability:
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Preparation: A geotextile membrane was first laid over the grass to provide an extra layer of protection and separation. This was secured using Proguard® U-pins.
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Assembly: The Heavy Duty Access Mats were then laid in sequence. To create a unified, stable surface that wouldn't shift under the weight of the fire engines, the mats were linked together using specialised Proguard® connectors.
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Final Securing: To ensure the entire trackway remained firmly in place during use, additional Proguard® U-pins were used to secure the perimeter of the installation.
The Results
The implementation of the Proguard system provided a highly successful outcome for Jersey Airport. Uncompromised safety from a stable and safe access route capable of handling regular heavy vehicular traffic. Ground preservation so the grass and subsoil remained fully protected from damage, even under the weight of 50-tonne vehicles. Fast installation with minimal equipment ensured the airport's operations continued without significant interruption plus, the system provided reliable performance and traction, regardless of wet weather conditions.
If you'd like to learn more about our External Ground Protection Mats or any of our other temporary protection solutions, get in touch, and a member of our team will be happy to help.
