John Scovell, Site Manager for the RSPB’s nature reserve at Portmore Lough in Co. Armagh, had installed a wooden boardwalk 5 years previously to allow bird–watchers access to the site’s wetland areas. In just a few short years, the wooden structure had fallen into disrepair.

We offered a rot–proof, maintenance free alternative to the decaying timber structure. Struck by its 40+ year lifespan, John felt this was a realistic answer to the reserve’s vulnerability to annual flooding. The fact our recycled plastic is inert and won’t leech chemicals into the ground or water was also a huge bonus.

Working with engineers, WDR & RT Taggart, Ecoplastic assisted in the final design of a 50m long structure that in some places was raised as high as 2m from the ground surface.

Earney Contracts were appointed contractors for the work. “The recycled plastic material supplied was of excellent quality” said Norman Lambe, Contracts Manager.  “The material was provided according to the agreed timetable.  Ecoplastic technical staff were able to provide our site personnel with practical information and construction support on how to work with this relatively new building material, based on their experience and using a sample section of boardwalk, and they offered support on site. We have worked with them subsequently on other similar projects. The service and quality has remained high, and the technical support is still available though we have less need as our own experience has grown.“

Since 2011, the site has flooded annually with no effect on the boardwalk and no degradation of the slip resistance of the decking, either.  Ecoplastic continues to work with the RSPB on other wetland sites around Northern Ireland. furn/1=K “