The collaboration of Sustrans (a charity supporting the use of walking, cycling and public transport) with Cheshire West, Chester Council and Flintshire County Council has seen the completion of improved cycle routes from North Wales to the Wirral Way.
The
cycle path provides an important link between Cheshire, Flintshire, and the Wirral, connecting the Wirral and National Cycle Network route between England and Wales.
Part of the path crosses a wetland area, which is also part of an RSPB site and is a Site of Special Scientific interest; decking was chosen to provide a natural, sustainable hard landscaping solution.
AntiSlip Plus®, with a smooth profile, was chosen for the 3m-wide cycle path that crosses the marsh at Burton on a raised wooden boardwalk, before returning the cyclist back to the tarmacked route.
Robin Nursaw, of Flintshire County Council, comments on the project: ‘Without the use of timber decking for the boardwalk we would have had to change the route of the cycleway. Requirements for the RSPB reserve include a natural and low-noise solution. The 3-metre-wide cycleway is raised up over the wetland in an exposed and open area. We (the council) chose a smooth timber deck board with anti-slip as it’s better for pedestrians and maintenance is easy.’