The 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
from100% recycled plastic. It is strong, durable, waterproof and maintenance
free. Being 100% 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 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 waste 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.
“Plaswood responded to every need of the stairway near Menai
Bridge,” said RPC bpi recycled products' external affairs director Mike Baxter.
“Its long-life qualities are key for the construction of boardwalks and coastal
paths and explain why it is used in wetlands, parks and gardens, town and city
centres - anywhere exposed to water or the elements. Demand has hit an all-time
high.”
Mike
Keating, from MK Enterprises Ltd who carried out the installation of the
stairway, explains: “Having removed the wooden structure we prepared the ground
and built the new structure out of plastic lumber sections. The textured
decking formed a slip-resistant surfacing that will not chip, split or
splinter. Galvanised fixings meanwhile are unobtrusive and tough enough to
withstand wet weather, while rails are comfortable to the hand and won't
blister in hot weather.”
Baxter adds: “The walkway will not wear, rust or degrade with
age. But it will add value over the life of the product – ideal for the
council. It has a clear edge over wooden structures because it will not rot or
require annual maintenance. Although it is robust, Plaswood can be formed into
virtually any shape. Creating posts, treads and a structure suitable for a
slope threw up no major challenges.
“We continually seek to improve our performance by setting
objectives and targets combined with clear management programmes and
initiatives to minimise our impact on the environment. For this reason, the
stairway for Anglesey Council is a lower-key but nevertheless fitting neighbour
to the Menai Bridge in its pioneering use of material.”
