Marshalls has supplied 15,000 linear metres of its Mono Beany one-piece combined kerb and drainage to the new M1 'smart motorway' scheme, stretching over nine miles of highway.

The innovative one-piece design significantly reduces installation time, and on the M1 scheme ensured the contractor Costain was able to install 340 linear metres per day, surpassing its initial target of 240 metres.

Mono Beany is manufactured using ultra-tough M-Tech concrete and comes in one metre units which allows for a single mechanical lift. Each unit can carry up to 40 tonnes (Class D400) when trafficked which minimises haunching and reduces installation costs, while helping contractors to meet deadlines and keep works disruption to a minimum.

Marshalls also developed a bespoke transition unit for the scheme as part of the Highways Agency's focus on innovation. The transition unit allows the scheme to meet the required hydraulic rates and came within budget without the runs being over-engineered. The unit now forms part of Marshalls' standard linear drainage offer.

Alice Couldwell, Linear Drainage Product Manager at Marshalls said: "At Marshalls we recognise that there is a growing demand for cost-effective and uncomplicated drainage systems which has led to modern linear drainage becoming the preferred choice amongst specifiers and contractors for improving highways.

"We provide a suite of water management products, including linear drainage with the innovative Beany range, and the UK's leading Priora permeable paving, so you can have a complete water management solution for your project.

"Our Beany range combines the clear-cut advantages of combined kerb and drainage systems, with the benefits of a high quality, robust concrete which provides a number of competitive advantages."

Malcolm Bell from Costain said: "Due to how quickly we were able to install the innovative Mono Beany system there was an increased demand on deliveries to site. Marshalls offered a reliable and guaranteed supply throughout the project, delivering three to four loads per week direct-to-site, often delivering two loads per day. This helped to ensure we met our completion deadlines.

"Working with Marshalls also offered Costain a dedicated and knowledgeable design team to meet our requirements for this scheme.

"These are all important factors when tasked with installing over nine miles of drainage to a major strategic route connecting people, communities and businesses."

Responding to the recent announcement by Highways England that there will be a £1.5bn investment in smart motorway schemes, David Jackson, Trading Drainage Director at Marshalls said: "Marshalls is already engaged in a number of smart motorway schemes as part of Highways England's £1.5bn investment, offering design expertise on a wide range of suitable products.

"As the UK's leading supplier of hard landscaping materials, we are committed to developing effective water management and linear drainage solutions to meet the needs of contractors, and this is demonstrated by our innovative Mono Beany system which significantly reduces the time needed to install the product.

"Having already supplied over nine miles of drainage to Junctions 28-31 of the M1, we are poised for further involvement to improve the road network and have the capacity and capability to deal with further orders."

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