Lord Clark of Windemere, Chairman of the Forestry Commission, took a tour of the treetops, trying out the award-winning, nationally acclaimed Tree Top Way in the heart of one of England's most ancient woodlands on Tuesday 14 November.
The innovative structure was recently announced as the winner of the Environment prize in the British Construction Industry Awards. The walkway brings local people from the towns of Milton Keynes and Northampton, and further afield, closer to the majesty of the ancient and native woodlands around them, through a gently sloping structure that leads up into the tree canopy to magnificent views across country to the urban fringes beyond.
Lord Clark said:
"The Tree Top Way is a symbol of all that we are trying to achieve in the Forestry Commission, bringing nature into the hearts of people's lives, enabling them to see and feel woodlands in new ways, and value and enjoy them. The facility shows beyond any doubt that the Forestry Commission is a world class leader in sustainable development and I am delighted that our achievements here at Salcey have been recognised by the recent British Construction Industry Award.
Salcey is one of the nation's most ancient of woodlands, and it is a fitting location for this groundbreaking venture."
The attraction was conceived and delivered by the Forestry Commission, working as part of the River Nene Regional Park, an independent partnership supported by the West Northamptonshire Urban Development Company. It uses innovative technology to secure the timber, which was all locally and sustainably sourced, allowing a safe structure, with enough flexibility to sway gently as you ascend, to get the true feeling of being among the trees.
The 300m walkway was funded through a £700,000 grant from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), as part of the Sustainable Communities fund. It is designed to be accessible to wheelchair users and buggies, as it winds through the trees up some fifteen metres to the forest canopy. At the end visitors can climb up to a crow's nest, twenty metres above the forest floor, and take in the stunning views.
The British Construction Industry judges described the walkway as "delightful and useable" and "a great eco-project", praising the facts that it used locally sourced timber and that it "gives children and adults alike a completely new experience of trees and forests".
Kevin Stannard, Forest District Manager for Northamptonshire added:
"The Tree Top Way has brought in thousands of visitors since it opened to the public last year, and it is great to hear people's reactions, as they see and enjoy the forest in a completely new way.
“It is a fantastic example of the strong partnership working in this region, with the River Nene Regional Park, and the UDC, enabling us to deliver valuable and interesting green spaces for people to enjoy.”
The Royal Forest of Salcey is a remnant of a medieval royal hunting forest. Reminders of the past can still be found, with many miles of ancient woodbanks, building remains and ancient trees - including the rare Salcey "druids" - veteran oaks, some of which are believed to be over 500 years old. These provide unique and valuable habitats for wildlife.
Salcey Forest is located between Northampton and Milton Keynes, in the heart of the Milton Keynes and South Midlands Growth Area. As one of the largest areas of public open space in Northamptonshire, the forest is a key site - providing green space for people and wildlife close to these urban centres.
Notes to Editors -
1. The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible for forestry in Great Britain. It supports woodland owners with grants, tree felling licences, regulation and advice; promotes the benefits of forests and forestry; and advises Government on forestry policy. It manages more than a million hectares (2.5 million acres) of national forest land for public benefits such as sustainable timber production, public recreation, nature conservation, and rural and community development. For further information, visit www.forestry.gsi.gov.uk.
2. The River Nene Regional Park (RNRP) initiative is critical to the delivery of sustainable development. The RNRP is centred on Northamptonshire, where around 100,000 new homes are to be built by 2021 as part of the Milton Keynes and South Midlands growth area. For more information visit www.rnrp.org.uk.
3. The Tree Top Way received £700,000 from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) Growth Area fund for the delivery of the Sustainable Communities Plan. For further information, visit www.communities.gov.uk.
4. The British Construction Industry Awards were jointly sponsored by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) and the Office for Government Commerce (OGC). The Environment Award category was sponsored by Atkins. The Trail was also shortlisted for the Small Civil Engineering Project Award and the Prime Minister's Award for Better Public Buildings.
5. The walkway was designed by the Forestry Commission's Forest Civil Engineering team. It uses aerial mast towers to form bridge beams to support the locally sourced timber structure. Steel was used for the towers, which are triangular to enable spans to exit in different directions and aid general stability. The structure also features the first Stress Laminated Timber roof in the UK - showcasing an innovative new technique. The zig zag route, the steady slope, absence of guys and a largely timber structure were the crucial design factors
6. Salcey Forest is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Safeguarding the historical and environmental features of the forest was an essential element of this project. Further information about its features are available from www.forestry.gov.uk/salcey, or by contacting Cheryl Joyce on 07774 730212.
For more information, please contact Jo Fowler, in the Forestry Commission press office on 01223 346 034 / 07833 672 903, or e-mail jo.fowler@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.