Overview

Broxap worked with contractor BAM Construction on the external landscaping and infrastructure at South Cheshire College in Crewe, including a walkway system for the conversion of green energy as part of a £60m scheme.

The flagship facility was developed to be carbon neutral, and architects Jefferson Sheard integrated existing natural features, including a copse, into the design.

Materials from the demolition of some of the original college buildings were reused in piling mats, and a moat to accept rainwater run-off was created around the protected copse.

Work undertaken

With sustainability a key component of the brief, Broxap designed, manufactured and installed a series of products to support the College’s aim of making a low environmental impact.

Central to this was a bespoke cantilever walkway based on Broxap's St John Fisher Asymmetric design. At 34m long, the walkway leads from the College site to the entrance of the purpose-built Starting Point Nursery. Broxap's design office engineered the secure mounting of solar electricity panels, also known as photovoltaics (PV), along the length of the walkway above the cantilever beams. Working with other partners on site, the PV array was linked to a solar inverter at the nursery to transform the solar power into usable energy.

The College placed a heavy emphasis on green and active travel methods around campus. To accommodate this, Broxap designed, manufactured and installed nine Apollo cycle shelters, each with a capacity for 10 parked bikes; and four standard runs of Apollo cycle shelters collectively offering parking spaces for 120 bicycles.

Bespoke stainless steel cycle stands and stainless steel Harrogate cycle stands completed the cycle parking provision.

Five Double Buxton litter and recycling units were ordered to encourage responsible waste management across the site.

Long-lasting Chantry concrete benches, cast concrete picnic units, and a Modulock Full Circle bench were also delivered to campus.

Root fixed and removable Swansea bollards, Sunburst tree grilles, Poplar tree guards and a car park height restriction barrier completed the project.