Charcon, the hard
landscaping division of Aggregate Industries, has helped to transform
Walthamstow Central Station in London, providing unique poetry-engraved paving
and a giant decorative sundial to a major revamp of the busy transport link.
As part of the
Walthamstow Gateway project, a partnership between Solum, Network Rail and Kier
Property, 79 apartments have been built next to Walthamstow Central Station – a
vital public transport hub in North East London.
The recently completed
project also features wider regeneration of the station area; including
modernising entrances, resurfacing and landscaping pedestrian walkways, kerbs
and a nearby roundabout to ease congestion.
Working with Landscape
Architect Fabrik, contractors Osbourne and Toureen, the Charcon team were given
a unique brief; to supply paving engraved with poetry for use on the station
forecourt as well as a giant decorative sun-dial to feature as the centrepiece
of the forecourt roundabout. The sundial itself came with its own distinctive
design, with bollards acting as hour markers to prevent vehicles stopping and
mounting the paving.
The project required
block paving for the station car park in addition to high-end concrete paving
for the pedestrian route from the station to the resident’s apartment block
entrance and the pedestrian link to Queen’s road station.
Stepping up to the
challenge, Charcon provided a range of often bespoke solutions incorporating
natural stone, concrete paving and high-end granite kerbs. The phased project
saw woburn paving, granite poem slabs, kerbs and marker bollards supplied to
the station forecourt.
Woburn block paving
was used to provide a hard-wearing, stylish surface capable of withstanding the
high traffic and footfall of the station car park, while StoneMaster concrete
paving, designed and engineered to replicate natural stone was used on the
pedestrian link route. Lastly, high quality Portuguese granite was used to
provide a durable and striking finish for the kerb leading to the sundial.
Overcoming several
challenges throughout the project, the Charcon team worked tirelessly to
support a phased installation programme as well as meeting tight deadlines to
supply the poetry-engraved slabs, sun dial markers, and procure granite from
Portugal in time for the first phase of the development. The result is a modern
and stunning public realm created in and around Walthamstow Central Station.
Mark Barter, Sales
Director at Charcon commented: “As a busy and bustling train station in London,
the revamp of Walthamstow Central Station is unlike any other, giving us an
unusual brief to provide slabs that could be engraved with poetry and paving to
create a distinctive sundial.
“Our team has worked
hard to provide the technical expertise and rapid sourcing required to meet the
unique needs of the project. We are delighted our natural stone, concrete
paving and high granite kerbs have helped to create a striking and contemporary
environment.”
