Mar 1 2007
Trials of a new surfacing material may offer the solution to public rights of way resurfacing requirements according an ongoing WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) trial.
Natural England predicts that more than 3,000 km of rights of way in the UK are in need of some form of surface reconstruction. The challenge is to find a surface that is suitable for all users.
WRAP has funded a trial using recycled rubber from used tyres as a surfacing material for a bridleway in Nottinghamshire. Engineering consultancy, Scott Wilson, is managing the trial and has set up a consortium of partners to carry it out, including Nottinghamshire County Council, Charles Lawrence International, Aggregate Industries, Natural England and the University of Nottingham.
As part of the trial, a 450-metre stretch of bridleway at Clipstone near Mansfield has been split into four sections. Three sections contain different ratios of recycled rubber and Type-1 recycled aggregate with the remaining section using standard construction techniques. The trial will compare these sections in order to find the best combination to suit all users. Since being laid in April, the sections have been closely monitored for deflection, wear and tear and user observations.
The results have proved very positive, with all sections using recycled rubber showing improved surface deflection. The most successful section uses 150mm Type-1 sub base material mixed with 5% by mass of 20mm rubber chippings covered by a 20mm bitumen spray and chip top coat.
James Brown, at Scott Wilson, comments:
"One of the challenges when resurfacing public rights of way is finding a material that suits everyone’s requirements – some materials are too soft and others too hard. With the landfill directive banning tyres from landfill, there is a good opportunity to use the rubber to make a soft and stable surface for use in pathways work."
A key element of the trial is gaining feedback from horse riders and other users to find out if recycled rubber is a better alternative to more common materials, such as asphalt or sand. Feedback already received has been extremely useful, and positive towards the new surface. To supplement this, Scott Wilson also organised an open day for horse riders and other users to comment on the surface.
Peter Jarman at Nottingham County Council, adds: “Like all local authorities, we need to provide improved bridleways and this trial provided the opportunity to assess the performance of a new material which could satisfy all users. The initial trial has shown some positive findings and there are certainly opportunities to use recycled rubber in the future. In the meantime, we are going to continue to monitor the trial section to assess continual performance and wear and tear.
"In all areas of our work, we are keen to incorporate as much recycled material where possible and it’s excellent that these sections of pathway combine the use of two recycled materials and help reduce our impact on the environment."
Steve Waite, WRAP Project Manager for Tyres, comments:
"Rubber offers unique properties as a surfacing material, and if this trial demonstrates that it is suitable for a variety of users, then there is significant potential for its widespread use. With tyres no longer accepted at landfill disposal sites, it is also a new market for a recycled material."