Project Overview
A winter solar installation project in Norfolk needed to maintain safe site access during a critical phase of construction. Freezing temperatures, snow, and ice coincided with ongoing vehicle movements, creating a risk to safety and programme continuity. The primary goal was to protect the ground and keep construction traffic moving throughout the winter period.
The Challenge
The project faced prolonged cold weather, with snow and ice affecting large areas of the site. These conditions increased the risk of poor traction for vehicles and damage to the underlying ground.
Construction traffic included heavy goods vehicles that needed reliable access to working areas, temporary parking, and turning points. Any loss of access during this time sensitive installation window could have resulted in delays and knock on effects to the wider programme.
Our Solution: XtremeMat
GroundGuards supplied and installed 224 XtremeMat to create stable, high performance surfaces across the site. The mats were used to form a main pad area, temporary car parks, and clearly defined HGV turning points.
XtremeMat was chosen for its strength, durability, and proven performance in cold and slippery conditions. The interlocking design created continuous surfaces that improved traction and vehicle control, even during periods of ice and snow.
The installation was designed to remain in place for a minimum of six months. This provided long term support throughout the build phase and reduced the need for repeated ground preparation as winter conditions continued.
Results & Outcome
Once installed, vehicle movements were able to continue safely despite ongoing cold weather. The protected access routes and working areas reduced the risk of delays and helped maintain progress on site.
By ensuring consistent access and stable ground conditions, the client was able to continue the solar installation without interruption. The project demonstrated that effective ground protection can significantly reduce winter related risks on site.
What this means for similar projects
- Winter weather does not need to stop progress when access is planned in advance
- Durable, interlocking mats improve safety for HGVs in icy conditions
- Long term installations reduce ongoing ground preparation costs
- Defined access routes help control vehicle movements on busy sites
Talk to Us About Your Project
If your solar or renewable energy scheme needs reliable access during challenging ground or weather conditions, GroundGuards can help. Our experienced team can recommend and install the right ground protection solution to keep your project moving safely and efficiently.
