The facts
Partners: Architrail - Phil
Saxena
Location: Thetford Forest, Norfolk
Client: Forestry Commission
Start Date: Feb 2009
Completion Date: March 2009
Contract Type: Design and Build
Services provided: Design and
Construction supervision of Mountain Bike Trail
Contacts: Phil Saxena, Director, (Architrail)
phil@architrail.co.uk,
James Daplyn, Countryside Services Manager (James.daplyn@capita.co.uk)
The project
Capita Symonds’ partner - Architrail - was
contracted to design and supervise construction of several sections
of cross country mountain bike trail for the Forestry Commission in
Thetford Forest.
Thetford is renowned for its biodiversity as well as its range
of trails which are governed by its open access policy for all
types of recreationalist including walkers, horse riders and
cyclists.
The overriding objective of this project was to reconstruct
sections of the red trail that had fallen into disrepair due to
poor initial design, construction and lack of armouring. These
common problems cause local diversions off the trails which can
damage local wildlife and the safety characteristics of the
trail.
The new tracks were raised off the flat topography by soil
inversion and then armoured with a thick layer of crushed stone to
provide a durable and well drained surface.
Working alongside Forestry Commission staff throughout the
project, the damaged trail sections were finished to a high
standard with praise from local users leaving a sustainable
facility for experienced bike riders for years to come.