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Building accessible trails at Cannock Chase with National Highways
Crucial to Our Planet sustainability plans is to work with our clients, industry partners and wider teams to make a difference in the communities where we work.
- Project and Location
- Cannock Chase, Staffordshire
- Sector
- Our Planet – Community Engagement and Skills
Our Midlands Sunbelt Rentals teams know how Cannock Chase Forest is a vibrant, outdoor focal point for the local community to visit. The vast 3,000 acres is one of the largest open parks in England and provides a sanctuary for those seeking physical and mental wellbeing respite and spaces, as well as hosting numerous family fun activities.
When we were asked by one of our key government clients, National Highways, to help create volunteering ideas, we spoke with our local communities and created an intensive volunteering week. The week centred around supporting the local council team in continuing to maintain the area of outstanding national beauty at Cannock Chase.
Challenge
Part of the vast park had fell into disrepair over the years which rendered some of the trails unsuitable and unsafe for users. They were also established quite some time ago and weren’t very accessible. Due to funding challenges caused by the escalation of costs post-pandemic, the local council were not able to progress the repair and improvement of a 5km trail so were grateful for any support we could offer.
Help was required for making the trail disability friendly and nice for the local community to enjoy. This meant clearing the immediate and surrounding areas, making good any structures as part of the trail (such as bridges and benches), as well as removing all waste produced and leaving the site ready for the public to use.
Solution
National Highways and our teams from Sunbelt Rentals joined forces in June 2022 and worked closely with the Forestry Commission to renovate the 5km trail.
Over 35 volunteers took part and Sunbelt Rentals provided equipment while the local council rangers provided the materials.
Spending four days on the project, together we undertook a significant amount of work, which included:
- Pruning along the trail, litter picking and a general clean-up
- Removal of old degrading wooden bollards and the installation of new ones to protect access to the natural areas
- Removal of wooden benches along the trail and installation of new wooden benches
- Clearing of certain areas which are to become activity spaces
- Removal and clearance of the existing wooden bridge
The team worked together to make the trail accessible and made a significant difference.
Results
The project was a resounding success. Over 35 people took part in total and together gave 980 hours to transforming this community space, which will be there for the local community for many years to come.
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