LANDSCAPING & EXTERNAL WORKS
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Plaswood’s Stairway to Sustainability T
he Menai Bridge spans the sea between Anglesey and mainland Wales – a monument to strength and
endurance. It can be reached several ways from the Anglesey side, but until recently one of them was in sharp contrast to the might of the historic suspension bridge. For several years the woodland access
point was defined by a rustic stairway, not just in the shadow of the bridge, but a shadow of its former self. Green algae smothered rotting treads, posts and handrails set into the wooded slope. Each timber element was slimy to touch, while the dozen steps up to the first level, the seven beyond, and the walkway timbers in between were rickety underfoot. In function and aesthetics, it was over the
hill. Towering tree crowns cast the site in shadow, heavy use by locals and tourists had taken a structural toll, while the sea air corroded metal fixtures. All of these challenges amounted to one big problem for the client, Anglesey Council. The bridge was too far gone to repair, so a replacement was needed, but it had to be special.
It had to look great, function perfectly and,
critically, be cost effective. The natural choice, timber, was good, but on this occasion not good enough. Anglesey Council's in-house architects called for something altogether more rugged - that could withstand harsh elements and heavy use but lose none of its visual appeal or rustic charm. They found what they needed in Plaswood. Plaswood looks and feels like wood
but is made in the UK from 100 per cent recycled plastic. It is strong, durable, waterproof and maintenance free. Being 100 per cent recyclable, Plaswood also supports the circular economy, an added plus for local authorities looking to promote sustainable products, services and practices across all their departments. Demand for Plaswood is increasing.
Specifiers, architects, landscape designers and construction companies such as MK Enterprises Ltd in Anglesey are reaping the benefits of this sustainable, eco-friendly substitute for non-renewable materials such as wood, concrete and steel. Unlike many plastic wood products, Plaswood is not a
Resiblock ‘Specially Selected’
The 2018 ‘Which?’ Supermarket of the Year- Aldi, has once again placed its trust in the Resiblock brand with the sealing of their new store on Caerphilly Road in Cardiff. Resiblock Resiecco was specified as the sealer to be used on the Marshall
Conservation Pavers, that run up to the entrance and trolley bay of Aldi’s latest build, which is due to open in late 2018. The specification and use of Resiblock Resiecco at the Cardiff store sees a continuation of the partnership between Aldi and Resiblock, which has seen the Resiecco product be used at over 30 Aldi Stores since circa 2005.
www.resiblock.com Neatdek chosen for outstanding project
An urban regeneration project in Longford is the latest of a series of outstanding bridge projects to use Neaco’s Neatdek aluminium decking. Almost 20m long and 4.7m wide at its widest point, the Camlin River Bridge is a footbridge featuring a unique curved ‘bow’
design by Kenny Lyons architects. Neatdek features a contact area of 74 per cent on the surface yet drains water efficiently and its swage- locked construction enables high structural efficiency. The system has an anti-slip surface for increased safety and aluminium has an A1 Fire Rating – the highest achievable score for non-combustibility.
sales@neaco.co.uk
wood composite and dates back to the 1980s. Today it is manufactured by RPC bpi
recycled products, Europe’s largest recycler of plastic, at a dedicated factory in Dumfries, Scotland. The company can recycle over 100,000 tonnes of plastic a year, mainly from plastic used to bale straw on farms. The finished product is used for construction materials, street furniture, outdoor play equipment and stairways.
0333 202 6800
www.plaswoodgroup.com
ADF JULY 2018
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