Project Overview
As part of SMP Alliance’s delivery of the safety enhancement programme between Junctions 10 and 13 of the M1 for National Highways, essential CCTV upgrades have been made to improve safety, reduce congestion and support rapid incident response.  The SMP Alliance scheme was led by alliance partner, Balfour Beatty, with J McCann & Co Ltd appointed to deliver the CCTV sites including cabinets, paving, CCTV masts and power cable scope of works. J McCann & Co Ltd employed Chubb Systems to deliver the renewal, installation and commissioning of Roadside Camera Equipment for this scheme.

Chubb installed and commissioned 42 advanced PTZ cameras, which included replacing 32 legacy units and adding 10 new cameras. The new installations provide coverage for emergency areas (EAs) and other key locations. The scheme retained the hard shoulder and introduced new CCTV cameras, signage and concrete barriers to improve real-time road management.

All works were carried out in accordance with both National Highways and Department for Transport safety standards for working on a live motorway. Chubb’s project delivery and engineering teams alongside J McCann & Co Ltd technical delivery team coordinated overnight works to minimise disruption and collaborated closely with project partners throughout delivery.

Meeting Project Requirements
National Highways required several improvements to address safety and efficiency, including:

• Conversion of central reservation barriers from steel to concrete, to reduce the risk of a crossover collision.
• Enhanced CCTV coverage, especially in EA’s, to support motorists effectively in the event of a breakdown or incident.
• Enhanced monitoring and faster incident response to reduce congestion, while improved operator visibility and better driver information were key outcomes of this scheme.
• Stringent planning and safety controls were implemented to manage work on a live motorway, using delivery partners with the appropriate accreditations, safety credentials and operational flexibility required for the project.

Operational Challenges and Solutions
The project involved complex challenges that required careful planning and adaptability.

Working on a live motorway is inherently hazardous, with engineers often operated at height in proximity to high-speed traffic. To mitigate any risk, all personnel on site wore full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and shift patterns were coordinated to maintain adequate coverage and avoid lone working or over-extending the team. In addition to internal safety protocols, compliance was maintained with the Department for Transport’s Chapter 8 traffic management procedures, which set out requirements for signing, lighting and guarding during temporary works.

Limited access for site surveys meant that, on  occasions engineers were the first to open roadside cabinets in a considerable period, encountering unpredictable conditions. Drawing on decades of experience with legacy CCTV equipment on the National Highways network and our preparation and reactiveness, any issues were resolved efficiently to maintain progress and safety. Collaboration with Balfour Beatty and McCann site teams and project managers supported effective problem resolution and the arrangement of appropriate traffic management to resolve issues.

Collaboration is Key
Chubb delivered the camera upgrades on the scheme in collaboration with all key stakeholders, applying strong project management and planning techniques. This ‘one team methodology’ combined with technical expertise and the on-site responsiveness, enabled the successful installation and commission of all 42 sites.

Our team included skilled in-house project engineers and a strong network of subcontractors, such as Stenball Infrastructure Management Ltd, Connect CCTV Ltd and Infratec UK Ltd. Collectively, the team brought over 30 years of experience working on the National Highways network, installing and commissioning roadside camera equipment giving us a key advantage to integrate roadside technology effectively, safely and to National Highways robust standards.

Working collaboratively with the SMP Alliance project delivery partners Balfour Beatty and McCann, our teams coordinated project timelines, shared updates, on site conditions and maintained open and clear communication throughout the lifecycle of the project. This collaborative approach supported safe working practices and contributed to the smooth delivery of the scheme across a range installation environment.

An Integrated CCTV Solution
Chubb installed and commissioned PAC Approved MCE2245 Issue B cameras and base unit solutions as part of this scheme and other CCTV sites across England. The Television Outstation (TVOS) unit includes a long-range, high-resolution 1080p camera with quick optical zoom and back light compensation; an integral infrared array with 500m range and a Television Base Unit (TVBU) which serves as the outstation in the National Highways CCTV network.

This outdoor rated PTZ solution is IP66 rated for use in extreme weather conditions. Its flexible design allows deployment on a variety of structures on the Strategic Road Network including fixed masts, trolley-head masts and gantries, to support vehicle and network management. All CCTV brackets are designed and structurally certified.

For this scheme, installations were completed on a range of existing structures including super span gantries, legacy trolley-head masts and new WEC trolley-head masts. The diversity of mounting conditions required careful planning and technical versatility, ensuring each camera was positioned to maximise visibility and support lane management, driver safety and coordinate emergency services as required.

As part of the commissioning process, Chubb completed Site Acceptance Testing to confirm that all cameras were correctly integrated and visible to the operators at the Regional Operations Centre (ROC) ready for remote commissioning.

Outcomes and Benefits
The completion of this scheme has delivered a range of benefits for the strategic road network, including improvements in safety, operational efficiency and long-term resilience.

All 42 cameras are now operational and integrated into National Highways’ Regional Operations Centre (ROC) via the Television Base Station (TVBS), providing real-time visibility across the upgraded motorway section. This integration enables operators to respond promptly to incidents, adjust overhead signage, manage lane closures and coordinate emergency services as required.

Enhanced surveillance coverage supports motorist safety, with cameras providing 360° views and night vision capabilities to monitor emergency areas and key traffic lanes. This facilitates faster incident detection and reduces the need for staff to investigate situations in person. The combined of upgraded technology and newly installed concrete barriers contributes to a safer environment for road users.

The improved monitoring infrastructure also supports more efficient traffic management. Faster identification of incidents such as breakdowns and accidents enables quicker resolutions, helping to prevent minor incidents from escalating into major delays.

Enhanced visibility of live road conditions allows for more dynamic management of signage and the road space, helping to reduce congestion and improve journeys.

The use of standardised, high-performance PTZ camera technology and a robust commissioning process ensures system compatibility with future updates and supports remote maintenance and diagnostics. This approach positions National Highways to manage increasing demand on the network while maintaining high standards of safety and control.

The project was delivered ahead of schedule, despite the challenges of working at height, alongside live traffic, and with ageing infrastructure.  This outcome reflects the experience of the delivery team and the  collaborative approach taken throughout the project.

Testimonials
Andrew Aspery, Technology Manager, Balfour Beatty: Chubb installed and commissioned the integrated CCTV solution on the Junction 10 -13 M1 project. During the works, Chubb worked efficiently and safely with Balfour Beatty to deliver the CCTV system.