 Fencing and Walkways |
Case Studies
Howden Marsh Local Nature Reserve - Recycled Plastic Boardwalk
The 6.5 hectare Howden Marsh in the East Riding of Yorkshire as been reclaimed by the Ponds Conservation Trust (PCT). They have replaced approximately 500 metres of wooden timber boardwalk, mostly installed 10 years ago, with extruded recycled plastic profiles from Centriforce. The new raised boardwalk provides safer access for enthusiasts and the public, and will prevent further erosion.
"The Centriforce recycled material that we have used for pathwork and decking was chosen as an environmentally friendly, rot-free, vandal resistant, maintenance free and durable solution. It helps us to ensure that ponds become an important visual amenity in rural and urban landscapes, where communities get the best visual benefits from their ponds whilst maximising heritage and wildlife objectives." Hugh Roberts, who manages over 40 schemes in the North of England for the Trust |
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Walkway along the River Colne ö Huddersfield
The footpath along the River Colne in Huddersfield needed to be constructed using a raised broadwalk because of the fluctuating level of the river bed in wet weather. Because the water would still rise above deck level after heavy rainfall, the Council wanted to find a non slip alternative to timber. Slip resistant Centriforce planks were chosen as they can be walked on safely without fear of falling, and, as the photograph shows, fit well into the landscape. |
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Ham Wall RSPB Reserve - Recycled Plastic Boardwalk
When the RSPB created a 500m flat (ground level) and raised boardwalk at its Ham Wall Reserve Visitor Centre in Somerset, it chose recycled plastic for its suitability in a wetland environment, where structural decay and leaching are major concerns.
The facilities are used by the blind, less able and wheelchair visitors, and according to them, the recycled plastic from Centriforce with its unique roughened surface provides a safe slip resistant decking. Handrails can also be extruded in a smooth finish so that they do not chaff the skin.
"We are very pleased with this safe, secure and economic installation." Sally Mills, RSPB |
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British Waterways ö Fradley Junction
Centriforce planks were the ideal solution for British Waterways when they were making improvements to a former derelict reservoir at Fradley Junction in Staffordshire. The Fradley Pool Nature Reservoir needed a safe and attractive boardwalk, together with circular and semi-circular pond dipping platforms and a bridge for its many visitors. Leela OâDay, Environment Projects Officer for British Waterways is very pleased with the results. The whole site now incorporates many exciting new features, including bird hides, CCTV systems to monitor and record breeding, nesting and feeding birds, idyllic walks and pond dipping platforms, which can be used and enjoyed by all.
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Fusion Marine ö Pontoon
Fusion Marine, who specialise in the supply of high quality equipment to the international fish farming industry, uses Centriforce products to ensure that their products meet the highest standard of performance.
Formed as a division of Fusion Group in 1989, its main products are now strong and durable fish cages, along with the supply of moorings, nets and other associated items. Pontoons, rafts and floating walkways also form a large part of their business.
"From the beginning, we needed to source a material for providing a deck on some of our products. Flexibility, toughness and a long lifespan were the primary considerations. These considerations led us to look at a range of recycled plastic profiles that had just been developed. We worked closely with various manufacturers and settled on a product which had the necessary characteristics. Centriforce in particular were extremely helpful in developing a ãrough one sideä profile, which gave us the added benefit of anti slip surface." Alan MaCleod, Director |
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Sizewell Belts Nature Reserve ö Boardwalk and Bridges
Sizewell Belts near Aldeburgh is one of nearly 70 reserves managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. In summer 2003, site manager, Alan Miller, was looking for a more robust and durable alternative to timber for the raised boardwalk he was planning to construct through woodland. He was well aware that with timber, repairs and maintenance are required every 5 years, and in some cases, wood requires complete replacement within 10 years.
He therefore chose recycled plastic material from Centriforce for a 30-metre boardwalk, and found even more immediate benefits. Had he used timber, to prevent the boardwalk from being in direct contact with the wet ground and rotting, he would have had to fit posts into the soil and place the boardwalk on top. With plastic, the boardwalk could be placed on bearers directly onto the ground.
"A much better alternative than timber and has brought us many benefits." Alan Miller, Site Manager |
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Suffolk Coastal District Council ö Fencing at Felixstowe
The Waterfront and Spa Gardens, popular attractions on the sea front at Felixstowe, have fences placed along pathways to mark the edges of roads, pathways and cliffs, and to ensure that people keep off the grounds. As graffiti is a permanent problem, Eddie Peters from the Leisure and Tourism Department, was tasked with finding an alternative to timber that would prove more difficult for vandals to damage, and be more resistant to sea air.
His research led him to recycled plastic , and following his recommendation, the Council replaced a 143.3 metre-long section of wooden fencing with post and rail ãRanch Styleä recycled plastic from Centriforce.
"The pilot scheme has been very successful, and more extensive replacement is planned." Eddie Peters, Leisure and Tourism, SCDC |
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Tern Raft for Surrey Wildlife
Bird rafts are an increasingly popular means for attracting a variety or individual species of birds to wild life parks or sanctuaries. At its Sheepwalk wildlife reserve, a former farmland dug for commercial gravel extraction in the 1950s, Surrey Wildlife Trust has installed a raft made from recycled plastic as a safe haven for terns.
The tern rafts have been made by Filcris, a leading manufacturer of outdoor products for land management applications. They have pioneered the use of recycled plastics with Centriforce Products, the leading manufacturer of profiles, sheet and board, and are providing solutions to land management organisations throughout the UK.
Chris Matcham and David Williams from the Surrey Wildlife Trust chose the recycled system for its many practical advantages, as well as the environmental consideration. They were already using a large wheelchair friendly dipping platform also made by Filcris elsewhere on the Reserve.
It provides a stable, slip free surface for the birds, and as it is durable, rot and algae proof, resists the decay and leaching that can occur in wetland environments. A further benefit is that it is maintenance free. ãIf, as we suspect, it will be successful, we will seriously consider using recycled plastic tern rafts on our other large open water reserves,ä says Chris Matcham.
Surrey Wildlife Trust is currently responsible for managing over 11,000 acres of the county through its Countryside Services division. Within this landholding there are over 60 sites, which collectively cover a range of habitat types from the chalk grassland of the North Downs to the heathland of the London Basin, taking in both ancient and mixed woodland, meadows and open water. |
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