Community boardwalk
Location: Leicestershire
Landscape architect: FPCR Environment and Design
Materials: Antislip Plus decking with a smooth profile
Anti-slip decking has been specified on a pioneering project to build a brand new community in Leicester. The European redwood decking has been used to create a stunning timber boardwalk, providing a scenic pedestrian link and acting as a focal point for the entrance of the New Lubbesthorpe development.
Situated between Leicester Forest East and Enderby, New Lubbesthorpe is an ambitious project to develop a complete community, including 4,250 high quality new homes, two primary schools, a secondary school, as well as retail and business space. In keeping with its rural surroundings, New Lubbesthorpe will have some of the largest, most biodiverse and most attractive parks created in the wider urban area in the last 50 years; over 320 acres of parkland is to be provided within the scheme.
Creating a natural aesthetic for the site was very important and landscape architects FPCR Environment & Design have been involved in the project since its inception in 2008. They have provided planning, masterplanning, design and detail design services for the scheme. As part of their detailed work, they designed a large boardwalk to provide pedestrian access to the new homes and to make an impressive entrance feature for both residents and visitors.
Antislip decking, with a smooth profile, was chosen to create the boardwalk, giving pedestrians the opportunity to walk over, or around the lake, adding a park-like aesthetic to the entrance of the site. The curved boardwalk also features wooden benches, so residents can stop and take in their surroundings.
We chose the anti-slip because we wanted the boardwalk to have a smooth and clean finish which is easy to maintain and suitable for use in all weathers. The decking gives a clean, contemporary style that is suited to such a large boardwalk and creates a striking first impression.
Jane Fortescue, from FPCR Environment & Design
Anti-slip decking boards are specifically designed to provide a durable and effective external anti-slip surface to minimise any risk of slipping – even in adverse weather conditions. They use a unique formula of resin-based aggregate inserts, which are injected into the deck board grooves.
Over 3,000 metres of the Antislip Plus decking was installed on the New Lubbesthorpe boardwalk. The boards were also treated with MicroPro, a preservative system which incorporates micronized copper co-biocides to improve durability and provide a natural timber look.
Anti-slip decking is ideal for projects like this that require a natural, contemporary aesthetic but need to be safe to use in all weather conditions and easy to maintain. The boardwalk at the New Lubbesthorpe development creates an impressive frontage to the site and also helps to maximise the use of green space for pedestrians.
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