WRAP Advocates Using Tyre Rubber on Public Rights of Way

WRAP is aiming to convince local authorities and private landowners of the practical and environmental benefits of using tyre-derived rubber crumb in constructing, upgrading and repairing public rights of way. The campaign builds on a successful WRAP-funded trial, run in conjunction with Nottinghamshire County Council, which has already shown that the inclusion of tyre-derived rubber in rights of way offers a versatile, durable and widely-acceptable surface.

Peter Jarman, Rights of Way Manager at Nottinghamshire County Council, said that Local Authorities are obliged to provide surfaces which meet the needs of as many user groups as possible, adding: “The surfaces themselves have demonstrated that they are durable and suit the needs of all our main user groups. The feedback we have received has certainly been very positive and we consider the trial a success. Finding a surfacing solution which best satisfies the varying needs of the different users is a significant challenge for local authorities and we’re extremely pleased with the way these trial sections have performed. We are now looking for more opportunities to incorporate recycled tyre material in other surfacing projects.”

A second local authority – Hertfordshire County Council – has also now opted to trial the use of tyre-derived rubber in a rights of way surfacing project. A 400-metre stretch of exposed bridleway used frequently by horse riders will be re-laid using a combination of materials incorporating tyre-derived rubber.

Colin Hambrook, Countryside Access Officer for Hertfordshire County Council, explains: “We’re increasingly looking to incorporate more recycled materials into County Council works and I am hoping this rigorous trial will prove to be a success. We commonly use crushed concrete as an aggregate which hardens over time and can therefore be unacceptable to a significant number of horse riders. We’re hopeful we’ve found a good alternative in tyre-rubber.”

WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) is now contacting local authorities and other agencies and landowners managing rights of way to disseminate the findings of the trial and communicate the benefits of using tyre-derived rubber crumb in surfacing applications.