GREEN & BLUE INFRASTRUCTURE
NEW TREE-LINED PLAZA WELCOMES NEW ARRIVALS TO BRIDLINGTON
Bridlington is on Yorkshire ’ s East Coast , sited 15 miles south from Scarborough , and just a mile from the dramatic cliffs of Flamborough Head . Bridlington offers a charming mix of traditional seaside attractions , as well as an incredible 15 miles of stunning golden beach , stretching as far south as Hornsea .
Phase Two of the £ 13.3m Bridlington Integrated Transport Plan , included a total redesign and transformation of the frontage of Bridlington ’ s railway station . The new Station Plaza features improved access roads , new short-stay and disabled parking , a taxi rank and coach drop-off point , as well as an inviting pedestrian area with contemporary seating and tree planting , to provide not only shade but also vital storm water attenuation – a green and welcoming first impression for visitors to the seaside town .
Green-tech involvement : The contracting work was awarded to Hull-based PBS Construction , who are a family business with strong ties to Bridlington . PBS asked Greentech to provide a structural tree pit system that would enable the trees planted within the hard landscaping around the plaza to establish without risk of soil compaction .
A total of twelve trees were planted , eight on the pedestrian plaza area immediately outside of the main entrance , and four sited alongside the taxi rank . To help the trees achieve their full potential , we wanted a good organic topsoil for them to grow in , as well as enough rooting volume . The challenge with planting in any hard landscape is how to use the good
stuff underneath the paving , without the paving sinking and compacting the soil . This is where Green-tech ’ s ArborRaft geo-cellular sub-base replacement system comes into its own .
Rather than using a traditional deep-pit crate system that fills the tree pit down to the base , ArborRaft works on a combined raft / bridging principle , and sits across the top of the tree pit , leaving the rooting area itself completely free of plastic . Not only is this better for the tree , but it also means there is no conflict with underground services such as water , gas , electric or communication lines .
The ArborRaft can take a static vertical loading of 70 tonnes / m2 , so can be used under vehicular or pedestrian paving with no concerns about the paving sinking , or the soil underneath becoming compacted . This means that we can use a soft , friable , organic topsoil in the tree pit , rather than a heavily sand-based structural tree soil .
The trees were planted in individual tree pits , and over 300 tonnes of Green-tech ’ s manufactured Greentree soil was delivered to site in stages as required . Green-tech also supplied each tree pit with tree anchors , Mona irrigation rings topped with aluminium Piazza filler inlets , and Fortress tree grilles , which are designed to take paving sets for a flush surface finish with the surrounding paving .
Alasdair Innes , Green-tech ’ s Specification Advisor comments “ This great looking project makes a good impression to anyone arriving at Bridlington by train . Green-tech has worked with PBS Construction since 2006 , and it was a pleasure to be able to be part of something so transformative for one of Yorkshire ’ s favourite seaside resorts . ArborRaft is so easy to lay , and even though it has been tried and tested over ten years or more , it ’ s always nice to see a finished project with the trees looking so healthy . It is early days but once mature they will give welcome shade for commuters and visitors alike .”
For any further product information or to request a CPD in person or remotely on any of our urban or rural modules please contact alasdairi @ green-tech . co . uk or call 01423 332177
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