Overview

As part of a £110m contract secured by Bowmer + Kirkland for the Mill Green / McArthur Glen Outlet Village in Cannock, CTS Bridges designed, manufactured and installed a 117.5m-long raised timber walkway, which comprised a faceted 3.3m-wide circular central section, plus a 25m cranked steel walkway with steps, and a playground access ramp with steel steps. 

Elevated walkway

The elevated walkway was constructed using Ekki hardwood supports built using 5.5m modular sections with decorative backets / bracing and columns which sit on stainless steel shoes. Ekki hardwood was chosen as it is a highly robust, durable and stable timber with excellent moisture resistance that requires very little maintenance.

Hardwood anti-slip deck

The walkway’s hardwood deck was fitted with CTS’s Hi-Grip Excel deck boards with two non-slip inserts in each board to provide a safe, durable and hardwearing surface due to it being in a high foot-traffic environment.

Parapets

Ekki Type C (cross rails) formed the decorative parapet with an additional 1.4m-high steel Type A (vertical infills) railing used to provide additional safety for cyclists.

Sustainability

All steelwork used is CE marked to EXC 4 and all timber used is FSC accredited.

Installation

CTS's own expert installation team carried out the work on site using a 150 tonne crane to install the walkway due to restricted access and the reach required to install the bridge sections.

Outcome

The new structures are an integral element from the designer outlet to the heritage trail and provide cycle and pedestrian access and egress to the outlet and a nature reserve.