The world famous Eden Project in Cornwall attracts one million visitors each year. Gripsure non-slip decking is used in many areas at the Eden Project, with some decks being in place for 15 years. Our products have helped contribute to the attraction’s excellent health and safety record.
Treetop Canopy Walkway
The Eden Project installed a Treetop Canopy Walkway in the Humid Tropics Biome to give visitors a unique opportunity to experience the rainforest from among the treetops. The walkway needed to be accessible to wheelchairs and buggies, as well as being able to cope with the heavy footfall from the tens of thousands of visitors that visit Eden every year.
The Eden Project's Humid Tropics Biome is designed to house over 2,000 species of tropical plants in an environment that will allow them to reach their full potential. This means that the paths, floor surfaces and bridges can be damp. In this severe environment, which is maintained at 30°C and 60% humidity, materials degrade more quickly than in a normal external environment.
The Eden Project has strict requirements for sustainable, renewable materials, and a modest budget. Rather than using conventional decking that becomes slippery when wet, Eden approached Gripsure. We supplied them with Gripsure Contemporary non-slip decking. The profile is a plain deck board with two non-slip aggregate inserts that deliver a high slip resistance with a sleek finish.
Safety is top of the agenda for a large attraction such as The Eden Project. They required something durable, low maintenance, and above all safe.
Eden were delighted with the outcome: "We are very happy with the added safety the product brings for our visitors and we have received excellent service from Gripsure"
Canopy Rope Bridge
Visitors to The Eden Project can stride out with confidence – even on the new wobbly bridge! The 23-metre aerial rope bridge stretches between two of the 50 metre-high Rainforest Biome’s tallest trees. Fitted with Gripsure non-slip decking, it has a safe and hardwearing surface, so explorers can enjoy a new perspective without any slip ups.
The Eden Project selected Gripsure’s Yellow Balau hardwood anti-slip decking. These boards are extremely strong and hardwearing, boasting an expected in-service life of more than 50 years. Gripsure non-slip decking will help visitors safely experience a hot, steamy rainforest as they travel to the treetops.
Bamboo Steps
Our most recent collaboration with Eden was the installation of Gripsure Bamboo non-slip decking in the Malaysian hut and other areas of the Rainforest Biome.
The facilities team chose Bamboo decking for its sustainability credentials, which are so important to the Eden ethos. Moso bamboo only takes 5-7 years to reach maturity and is a net carbon sink over the life span of the product. The non-slip decking boards will provide a safe surface for Eden’s visitors for many years.