A465 Heads of the Valleys – Section 2

The A465 Heads of the Valleys – Section 2 development consists of transforming the three lane 8km stretch of road between Gilwern and Brynmawr into a four-lane carriageway. This will ease traffic flow, reduce potential accidents, and improve access for key services, jobs and markets.
Having worked on the A465 Heads of the Valleys – Section 2 development since January 2015, GT Jones Contracting Ltd have provided a range of services to the Main Contractor, Costain. This included a large majority of the fencing works and most prominently Acoustic Fencing.

The Acoustic Fencing is not only acting as a barrier between traffic and pedestrians but also as a soundproof barrier from the noise pollution caused from the continuous traffic flow to protect the residential properties that are scattered along the 8km stretch of road.

We won the Acoustic Fencing contract in 2018 which stretches nearly the whole 8km of the site. With the various geological formations of the Welsh hillside, this made the job challenging, needing to use different innovative solutions throughout to suit the conditions of the area needing to be fenced.

The acoustic fence height is 2m throughout and due to changing working conditions, we used three methods of installation due to the scope of the work:

• Traditionally dug foundations
• Borehole into rock of up to 5m deep
• Base plate and bolted down on retaining wall

Utilising the knowledge and experience of our skilled fencing installer team and also using the most up to date plant and equipment, we were able to complete the works within time, budget and keeping a very high quality of work along with complying to NHSS 2C Standard.