Project Brief: Reinforce muddy fishing swims and access routes while maintaining the natural appearance of the fishery.
Total Project Area: 450m²
Product Used: X-Grid® Ground Reinforcement Grid with Bark Fill
The Project
Churchwood Fisheries identified several high-traffic areas around the lakes that regularly became muddy and unstable due to the number of anglers using them throughout the year. The worst affected areas included the banks, access routes and fishing swims, where constant footfall had worn away the surface.
To provide a long-term solution across the site, the team chose X-Grid® ground reinforcement grid with a bark fill to retain the site’s natural appearance. Compared to gravel, bark also helps minimise noise when walked or driven on, a very important consideration in a fishing environment.
The Installation
The fisheries team began by preparing each of the fishing swims and access routes with a suitable sub-base before starting with their installation. Along the edge of each fishing swim, treated timber sleepers were installed to act as a retaining edge, helping to contain both the X-Grid® and bark fill while creating a neat and defined finish alongside the water’s edge.
With the edging and sub-base complete, the team began laying the X-Grid® panels, securely connecting each neighbouring panel using the innovative slot-and-peg system, allowing the installation to progress quickly across the 450m² project area.
Once installed, the grids were filled with bark chippings, creating a stable surface that blended naturally into the surrounding landscape. The bark fill also helped minimise noise underfoot and when transporting equipment, a very important consideration for maintaining a peaceful fishing environment.
The open-cell structure of X-Grid® keeps the bark securely in place, reducing migration and helping to minimise ongoing maintenance while keeping the fishing swims and access routes usable throughout the year.
The Outcome
By using X-Grid® to reinforce the 450m² surface and retain the bark chippings on the fishing swims and surrounding access routes, Churchwood Fisheries has been able to keep even its busiest and most heavily used fishing swims and access routes open throughout the year.
The bark-filled surface has provided a natural, low-noise finish that blends perfectly into the surroundings while offering excellent stability underfoot. Thanks to the unique open-cell design of X-Grid®, the bark remains securely in place, significantly reducing migration and minimising ongoing maintenance.
The installation proved so successful that Churchwood Fisheries later returned to purchase additional X-Grid® for installation around its snack cabin as a car parking surface.
To learn more about X-Grid, or to discuss an upcoming project with a member of our team, please get in touch with us on 01246 418144 or LiveChat during office hours. Outside of these times, you can leave us a message.