Innovative concept used in Nottingham's Western Corridor cycleway

Charcon, the commercial hard landscaping division of Aggregate Industries, has delivered its latest innovative concept in cycleway segregation kerbing for the first phase of Nottingham City Council’s new Western Corridor cycleway route, just three months after successfully completing supply to the Mayor’s Flagship Cycle Superhighway (CS2) in London.

While a cycleway solution had already been specified by Nottingham City Council, the client chose to adopt Charcon’s new innovative cycleway segregation system after learning how it had added significant value to the high profile CS2 project in London, while offering increased safety to not only cycleway users but contractors installing the units on site.

Mike Davies, specification manager for Charcon, explains: “Our cycle kerb is a one unit concrete segregation system, which means much of the work can be done off site. The benefit being that it speeds up construction and reduces the impact on road users.

"The segregation system for Nottingham was designed to meet the project’s exact specification. It features a half batter along the carriageway, capable of withstanding vehicular impact, and a splay edge on the cycleway side, which significantly reduces the chance of cyclists catching a pedal.

“Being on the blind side of a lorry or bus is a dangerous place for a cyclist.  By installing the kerb on just one side of the carriageway, these cyclists are safely segregated from the blind spots of passing traffic.

“Having experience of delivering this type of product on a large scale, we were able to confidently hit the ground running and ensure phase one of the project was delivered on time and on budget.”

To date, 400l/m of Charcon’s new innovative cycle kerb has been manufactured, supplied and installed for the first phase of the project along Castle Boulevard. On completion of the Western Corridor, further cycleway upgrades will be made along the Northern, Southern and Eastern corridors, providing a complete overhaul of the city’s cycleway network to better connect students and commuters with the city.