GREEN & BLUE INFRASTRUCTURE
GREEN-TECH GOES TO
MARKET … BISHOP AUCKLAND ’ S RESIGRILLE TREE PITS REVISITED
The ResiGrilles can be supplied with the Resibond already in place , or it can be mixed on site , whichever the contractors preference . Resibond can also be used freeform without the grille tray , simply set within kerbstones or paving . The aggregate is available in a choice of five standard colours , and being porous , allows the transmission of both air and water into the tree pits .
Background : The market town of Bishop Auckland was once one of the jewels in County Durham ’ s crown . A thriving centre for manufacturing and engineering , and an ideal hub for South Durham , featuring the majestic castle , home over the years to the Bishops of Durham .
Over the past 10-15 years a great deal of funding and planning has been put in place to bring Bishop Auckland back to its former glory and position it as a destination for both business and tourism .
As part of Phase 2 of the Renaissance works , funded by Durham County Council ’ s Capital Programme and Urban & Rural Renaissance Initiative , the Market Place underwent a comprehensive update . Additional full-sized parking bays and taxi rank , improved pedestrian access , and an overall increase in amenity space in front of the Town Hall for civic and community activities was added , as well as the bustling weekly Food Producers and Crafters Market , held on the last Thursday of the month .
Green-tech involvement : As the UK ’ s largest supplier of landscape products , Green-tech works closely with many of the District Councils throughout the UK . Over 30 trees were planted around the Market Place , and due to a combination of pedestrian and vehicular over-run , geo-cellular units were used to protect the soil in the tree pits from compaction . This enabled the use of a good quality , organic topsoil to be used , as opposed to a structural tree sand , and Green-tech supplied over 300 tonnes of their manufactured British Standard topsoil for the tree pits , along with tree anchors , Mona irrigation with cast aluminium inlets , and root barrier where required .
To fit subtly in with the York stone paving slabs , Durham City Council opted for Green-tech ’ s GT Resi-Grilles . A mix of resin bound aggregate set within a custom-made , recessed tree grille , that supports the trafficking load and protects the rootball . Green-tech ’ s Resibond is an easy to install , porous , resinbound surface layer . It is ideal for tree surroundings in hard landscaping areas as it reduces the build-up of litter and negates trip hazards . Classed as a “ hard surface ”, once installed , it is durable , able to withstand pedestrian footfall , wheelchairs and prams , and is practically maintenance-free .
Alasdair Innes , Specification Advisor at Green-tech concludes , “ This job was completed over ten years ago now , so it was high time we took a trip up to Bishop Auckland to see how they were standing up to the rigours of a bustling market town . The trees are looking in fine health , and it is good to see our Gt ResiGrilles weathered in nicely and standing the test of time .”
For more details of any products , or a copy of our 2023 catalogue
( digital or hard copy ), call the Green-tech team on 01423 332 100 or email sales @ green-tech . co . uk
90 www . landud . co . uk Follow us @ ludmagazine