Stihl Aerial Walkway, Westonbirt
The National Arboretum at Westonbirt is not only an important scientific
resource but also functions as a popular visitor attraction with a valuable
educational function. A recent addition is the Stihl Aerial Walkway, opened on
26 April 2016 by Ellie Harrison, the Countryfile presenter. The project
sponsored by Stihl the power tool company, cost £1.9 million, with
additionial contributions raised by the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum. The
walkway was designed by
Glen Howells Architects with
Burohappold
Engineering as structural engineers, Speller Metcalfe as the
principal contractor and
SH
Structures the steelwork contractor. See
here for the most comprehensive account of construction. The walkway runs in
an S-shape for 284 metres across the valley and gives direct access from the carpark to the
Arboretum in Silk Wood at canopy level. Although the Forestry Commission had
originally hoped that the whole structure would be made of wood, it was
eventually decided that the deck and balustrades should be constructed in steel;
each deck section is 10.5 metres long and weighs 4.5 tonnes. The walkway is supported on 20 pairs of
larch timber legs spaced at 10.5 metre intervals,
and reaches a maximum height of 13 metres above ground level. The deck is
accessible to visitors on foot, wheelchairs and pushchairs and mobility
scooters. Seven interpretation panels are incorporated into the steel
parapet. The
walkway is further enhanced by a "crows nest" accessed by a short staircase, and
by a separate viewing platform reached by a short suspended rope bridge. The
Walkway has been recognised by a number of public awards.
