California Country Park Requirement Replace existing softwood boardwalk over Longmoor Bog to create a safe and durable alternative. Project location Replace existing softwood boardwalk over Longmoor Bog to create a safe and durable alternative. Design and Installation Replace existing softwood boardwalk over Longmoor Bog to create a safe and durable alternative. California Country Park is a 100-acre country park covering Long Moor in Berkshire. It consists of lowland heath and bogland, including Longmoor Bog, a conservation area which is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and nature reserve. The bog is a ferruginous swamp, which contains bacteria that deposits rust-coloured iron hydroxide. The site is 150 acres in size and features a six-acre lake. The park is managed by Wokingham Borough Council and is open to the public every day throughout the year. Structural strength and natural beauty Having met with the Council prior to the project starting in March 2018, Millboard advised the client as to their product recommendations, provided guidance relating to overcoming installation challenges, and identified opportunities for reducing costs, wherever possible. Situated within a Country Park owned by Wokingham Borough Council, it became necessary to replace the old and rotten softwood boardwalk that crossed the famous Bog with a safer, longer lasting, low maintenance alternative. Situated within a Country Park owned by Wokingham Borough Council, it became necessary to replace the old and rotten softwood boardwalk that crossed the famous Bog with a safer, longer lasting, low maintenance alternative. I would like to pass on my thanks to Millboard for such a fantastic product. When we decided we had to replace our 200m long boardwalk, I knew we needed to look at a material other than wood, but really wanted it to look in keeping with the natural environment of our SSSI reserve. The Millboard Weathered Oak Vintage, was the perfect solution. It looks superior to standard wooden decking boards whilst being easy to work with as regards practical construction. We are so pleased with the finished article that we are already planning new projects involving the same material. Thanks again.Simon Bartlam, Wokingham Borough Council’s Countryside Service Project challenges and outcome Having met with the Council prior to the project starting in March 2018, Millboard advised the client as to their product recommendations, provided guidance relating to overcoming installation challenges, and identified opportunities for reducing costs, wherever possible. Creative Timberwork, a specialist contractor for challenging environments, started work in May 2018. Bringing their specialist engineering expertise to the project, they created an exceptionally sturdy system of steel supports to provide a foundation platform above the two-metre deep swamp, on to which the Millboard sub-frame and decking could be secured. In this way, it was possible to meet Wokingham Borough Council’s requirement to create a durable, user friendly, rot resistant and visually harmonious boardwalk across the famous bog. Millboard’s Weathered Oak, Vintage decking system offered the perfect solution for a site of such historic and environmental significance. The local Council had a challenging project – they asked if we could build a 220m boardwalk through a swamp! The boardwalk had to be made to last from man-made materials. Having seen Millboard’s product in situ at Legoland, it was really the only way to go. The bog is an SSSI, so something that was aesthetically in keeping with the environment was required. Millboard’s Weathered Oak, Vintage decking offered the perfect solution. It is the most challenging environment we have ever worked in, but the end result was worth it. When people ask what wood was used on the boardwalk floor, they never believe me when I say it’s a man-made product, designed and manufactured in the UK.Alistair Nobles, Creative Timberwork Millboard Decking Used Vintage Oak READ MORE
