Building Excellence Through Sustainable Construction: The Story of Flex MSE at Glentress Forest

Glentress Forest, which is managed by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), is part of the Tweed Valley Forest park in the picturesque Scottish Borders Council area. One of the renowned 7stanes trail centres, Glentress is known for its stunning landscapes and world-class mountain biking trails. The Glentress Masterplan, which is being led by FLS, aims to create a well-integrated, multi-user destination and world-class visitor experience that will help draw 300,000 visitors to the area and inject around £1 million into the local economy every year.

Specialising in mountain biking, the remodelling of trails and features that is at the heart of the Glentress Masterplan included plans for the construction of triple culvert bridges using Flex MSE as a key component.

The chosen solution for the bridges was Flex MSE, a sustainable construction system that integrates different paths and offers a functional technical grade for mountain bike trails. One of the main focuses of the project was to create bridges that would be classified as 'features,' attractive and exciting for users, while also being environmentally friendly and minimising disturbance to the surrounding area.

Working with Robertson Group, the main contractors onsite used HBB GeoSales for the installation team, embarking on the construction of three Flex MSE bridges as part of the new trails at Glentress. The concept design and specification for Flex MSE on the project was by RaeburnFarquharBowen Landscape Architecture, with the overall design work was carried out by SLR Consulting.

Shaun Mclean - Business Development Manager at HBB GeoSales said;
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''As project client, FLS wanted a solution which provided minimum disturbance to the area as well as being environmentally friendly.That's why Flex MSE was the perfect choice, with only 300mm wide foundation's required, you can see we were within a metre of the tree roots. Other solutions would have required the felling of the surrounding trees to accommodate the bridge which was not an option''.

Despite facing challenges such as mixed weather conditions and severe wind, the HBB GeoSales team did a fantastic job, making progress with ease on the triple culvert Flex MSE bridge at Glentress Forest.

The Flex MSE system also offers a soft landscape finish that respects the natural setting of Glentress Forest when fully vegetated, blending seamlessly into the surroundings. This was an essential aspect of the project, as Glentress Forest is not only a popular destination for mountain biking, but also a natural habitat that needs to be preserved as it welcomes over 300,000 visitors each year.

Jacob Sallon, Managing Director of Gravitas International who are the Master distributor of the Flex MSE system across Europe and the UK said;

‘’The completed Flex MSE bridges will be a significant addition to Glentress Forest, providing safe and functional crossing points for users, enhancing the overall experience of the mountain biking trails. With a 75-year warranty and a 120-year design life, the Flex MSE bridges are built to last, ensuring long-term sustainability and resilience.’’

The Glentress Masterplan, which includes the construction of 16 km of new mountain bike trails, an easily accessed Skills Area, expanded capacity car parking, and a new environmentally friendly holiday cabin development managed by Forest Holidays, aims to boost the local economy, support regional tourism, and make Glentress Forest a global destination for mountain biking and other outdoor activities.

The completion of the Flex MSE bridges at Glentress Forest will be timely, as the site is set to be the official venue for the Mountain Bike Cross-country & Cross-country Marathon events in August 2023, which are part of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships coming to Scotland. The bridges will serve as attractive features for the participants and visitors, showcasing the excellence of sustainable construction and the commitment to preserving the natural beauty of Glentress Forest.

In conclusion, the construction of the Flex MSE bridges at Glentress Forest is a prime example of building excellence through sustainable construction. The project demonstrates how innovative and environmentally friendly solutions like Flex MSE can be used to create functional and aesthetically pleasing structures that blend harmoniously with the natural surroundings. As Glentress Forest continues to evolve into a world-class destination for mountain biking and outdoor recreation, the Flex MSE bridges stand as a testament to the commitment to sustainability and excellence in construction.

Stay tuned as we return in 4 months for the UCI World Cycling Championships to see how the system has blended seamlessly into its natural surroundings.

Construction Time: 4-6 weeks
Flex MSE Units: 4,700 M2: 932
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Install: Reinforced Stretcher Bond Flex MSE Retaining Wall. Vegetation Solution: Hydroseeded

Learn more about the Glentress Masterplan - Courtesy of Home - Forestry and Land Scotland. For any queries regarding the Masterplan project please contact Forestry and Land Scotland South Region in the first instance. Email: enquiries.south@forestryandland.gov.scot

Glentress will host the UCI Cycling World Championships, which are taking place in August 2023.

to buy tickets for this event, click here.

For additional information, questions or comments about the products and services Gravitas International can supply, or to book a FREE CPD WEBINAR, please visit www.gravitasint.com or alternatively call our friendly customer care support service on: +44 (0) 161 980 1016

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