Marshalls Landscape Protection, part of hard landscaping manufacturer Marshalls plc, has designed and supplied Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) solutions as part of a development commemorating Sikh soldiers who fought during the First World War, in Smethwick, West Midlands.
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council was approached by the Smethwick Guru Nanak Gurdwara (GNG) temple, with a proposal to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War by creating a statue of a WW1 Sikh warrior. Supporting the proposal, the council has also created a paved public area and a new green space as a setting for the statue – meaning the development not only functions as a memorial but provides a new space for the local community to enjoy, enhancing the public realm.
Potential vehicle collisions
Having impressed on previous projects, and possessing a wealth of industry experience and expertise, Marshalls Landscape Protection was asked by Sandwell Council to be involved with the development. To discuss this involvement is Dominic Renney, Specification Development Manager at Marshalls: “We were brought in to design and develop a number of protective elements for the project, and to support the council with technical direction.”
Marshalls Landscape Protection was asked by Sandwell Council to be involved with the development
During discussions between Marshalls and the council, it was decided that because the project is located next to two main roads, the design should include protection against potential vehicle collisions. Dominic explained the considerations that were made: “Being a place of memorial, we were fully aware that we had to protect the site as unobtrusively as possible. In agreement with the council, we specified products that would guarantee safety against vehicular threats discreetly, helping to keep people safe, not scared®.”
Red reflective band
To protect the site against potential threats, Marshalls’ RhinoGuard® Protective Bollards, part of its Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) product portfolio, were used to enclose the majority of the site’s perimeter. Specified in a stainless-steel finish with a red reflective band, the bollards are fully crash tested in accordance with the BSI PAS 68 standard, capable of stopping a 7.5-tonne lorry traveling at 40mph completely in its tracks.
To introduce some additional greenery to the development, and to break up the perimeter, Marshalls cast concrete BellitGiove Planters were also specified. Manufactured using polished brown porphyry precious stone, the planters provided an elegant and visually appealing means to add shrubbery into the environment.
Providing technical support
The memorial site and green space have become a hub for the local community to pay their respects
Responsible for installing these products, was R W Services Contractors Ltd. Speaking on his experience during the project is John Hallahan, Commercial Manager at R W Services Contractors Ltd: “We have installed Marshalls’ products many times before this project and we never have any issues. That was true again in this instance, it was a very straightforward and neat job. Marshalls were on hand throughout the installation to provide technical support when it was needed and were more than happy to offer advice. This was really helpful and made the installation far easier for us.”
In the time since its completion, the memorial site and green space have become a hub for the local community to pay their respects and enjoy the public realm.
Offering his thoughts on the project is Steven Wall, Senior Engineer at Sandwell Council, saying: “The project has been a huge success, providing a fitting space to commemorate the brave sacrifice made by Indian and Southern Asian soldiers who fought during the Great War. We are very happy with the products and services provided by Marshalls and believe they have complimented the statue and surrounding site perfectly.”
