A £140 million development to create a next generation shopping and leisure park in Northamptonshire is using JB Antislip Plus Smooth from Marley Eternit to provide a durable and effective external anti-slip surface for visitors.
Rushden Lakes, at Nene Valley in Northamptonshire, opened in Summer 2017, and offers over 400,000 sq.ft of new retail and restaurant accommodation, together with leisure activities which are all set against the backdrop of a lake.
The unique project, which comprises a 30-acre development, will also link up four existing nature reserves, identified as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), to create the Nene Wetlands, a one mile square natural space for visitors and wildlife to enjoy.
As part of the project, more than 500,000 sq.ft of JB Antislip Plus Smooth decking was used at the retail park development, creating a linear length of around 40km.
Gary Wilburn, director of design and sustainability at HPW Architecture, which led the design and development of the masterplan for the 244-acre site, explains why, when selecting a decking solution to meet the bespoke needs of the project, JB Antislip Plus Smooth, was the obvious choice.
He says: “The unique nature of the Rushden Lakes development is setting an entirely new standard for the retail and leisure experience, and as such, we required a decking solution which would not only deliver enduring antislip properties, but one which would also seamlessly fit in with the wider natural surroundings.
“Having used JB Antislip Plus Smooth previously, we were already reassured that the product could meet our bespoke needs but furthermore, meet the wider objective of the development project to ensure we used the highest quality specialised materials throughout.”
The timber 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.
JB Antislip Plus uses a unique formula of resin-based aggregate inserts, which are injected into the deck board grooves. For the smooth boards required by this project, grooves are specially machined into the boards to receive the inserts. They are treated to either Use Class 3 (MicroPro®) or Use Class 4 (Naturewood®) to protect the decking and suit the project requirements.
Emily Dix, Marketing Executive at Marley Eternit, adds: “For a project, such as Rushden Lakes, where huge numbers of visitors are expected, JB Antislip Plus Smooth decking is an ideal solution, as it offers antislip properties which exceed HSL guidelines, but also seamlessly blends with the surrounding environment, making it the perfect choice for retail and conservation areas alike.”
