Following its official media launch this morning Insight offers exclusive first footage of the Falcon automated cone laying machine.
Held on the M25 at the Connect Plus Dartford depot, the invitation only event, was the first opportunity for members of the supply chain and indeed the M25 supply chain community to see the production ready version of the machine, an event Safer Highways CEO, Kevin Robinson was given special access to.
The machine, the first of five ordered by Balfour Beatty fleet and plant services has already entered service on the M25 as part of the Connect Plus Services contract.
The Falcon ACLM machine, developed by Safer Highways member Highway Care and Switzerland-based technology partner SENN Engineering following investment from National Highways’ Innovation Designated Funds programme.
Speaking at the event Ben Dunker, Business Development Director of Highway Care said,
"We are very excited after three years of development in collaboration with National Highways and stakeholders such as Balfour Beatty and Connect Plus Services, to see the first production vehicles arriving on the M25 network.
“We now look forward to the machines making the desired impact and improving the health, safety and wellbeing of traffic management operatives.”
The vehicles have been bought by Balfour Beatty fleet and plant who will lease them to Connect Plus Services (CPS), the maintenance DBFO providers for the M25 contract.
Having had previous failed dalliances with cone laying machines David Neal, Managing Director of CPS brimmed with delight before introducing the machine to an eager audience.
He said, "In 2008 when a previous dalliance with a automated cone machine completely fell at the first hurdle, I vowed I would never go back and explore the prospect again.
"Fortunately I am a fickle person and changed my mind.
"I am delighted that the M25 will be the first contract across the UK to be deploying the production version of the vehicle.
"This is not a concept any more as the vehicle you will see today has already been at work night after night out on the network."
Balfour Beatty have committed to ordering five of the Falcon ACLM machines all of which will be delivered in the latter half of 2022 and deployed for service on the M25.
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