| A subsidiary of Hill & Smith Holdings PLC has played a key role in the £13m development of Arbury Park, a vibrant new neighbourhood in Cambridge.
Newport-based Asset International Ltd has supplied and installed more than three kilometres of large diameter Weholite HDPE (high density polyethylene) pipe in a £1m deal, one of its largest ever contracts.
Asset International Ltd was asked to provide a key part of a cutting edge solution to minimise the risk of flooding at Arbury Park, which falls in an area with a high water table.
The large diameter pipework acts as stormwater storage tanks with four smaller tanks and one larger, one kilometre tank combining to allow for nearly 8,000 cubic metres of additional water storage during periods of heavy rainfall.
Simon Thomas, director of Asset International Ltd, commented: “ Arbury Park developers had to reduce the risk of flooding in order to maximise the land that could be developed on the 32 hectare site.
“Our tanks act as a buffer between the new development and the existing drainage system, storing storm water run-off for gradual, controlled release over time.
“We are in the business of providing solutions and this case provided us with the opportunity to do just that.”
Weholite is the UK’s only HDPE pipe over 1m in diameter and was chosen because it can easily be adopted by Anglian Water and does not require large-scale jointing.
Asset International Ltd uses computer simulated techniques to avoid on-site problems and the lightweight nature of Weholite lends itself to ease of installation.
Richard Lakin, site agent at main contractors Galliford Try, emphasised the benefits of Weholite compared to the concrete alternative: “The speed with which the Weholite tanks were installed was impressive.
“As the average 14 metre length weighed around 3.3 tonne, compared to 8.6 tonne per 2.5m length in concrete, we were able to use lighter equipment and any alterations needed could be made on site without holding up other works.”
Arbury Park is set to be a mixed-use development including 900 homes, a primary school, a community centre and a range of play facilities.
Further information
Freshwater UK PLC
Edward Carter 0121 633 7775 - 07770 378097
Anna McNeil 0121 633 7775
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