Sullivan Road – Pump Track

The Brief

The contractor, Schofield was tasked with transforming the underused space at Sullivan Road recreation area in Southampton into an exciting pump track suitable for all wheels and abilities. A pump track is a looping trail system designed for cycling, skateboarding, or other wheeled sports, featuring rolling terrain that allows riders to generate momentum through pumping motions without pedalling. The goal was to create a track filled with banked turns and rollers to provide an engaging space for the community.

Schofield required high-performance asphalt for the construction of the pump track. To ensure the track's quality and durability, it needed a reliable material that could withstand extensive use from a range of bikes, scooters, skates and wheelchairs, and provide excellent riding experiences for all users.

The Solution

Schofield decided to partner with Aggregate Industries, given their strong existing relationship and expertise in producing high-quality asphalt. The Express Asphalt team, part of the Surfacing Solutions division, provided its SuperSport asphalt product, which proved to be the perfect solution. SuperSport Track  is an innovative asphalt material, specifically designed to deliver high performance and quality for recreational surfaces like pump tracks.

The asphalt had to be laid by hand over five days, and approximately 100 tonnes of product was used for the construction. One of the challenges faced during the project was the inability to store the material on-site. To address this, it was recommended that the product be freshly mixed in the delivery lorry before being transported to the construction site at the exact time of needing to be used.

To ensure a smooth construction process and minimise any delays, the team had to carefully program the mixing from plants around specific timings to ensure prompt delivery and avoid keeping the site waiting.

A key advantage of SuperSport Track is its warm mix additive, allowing it to be mixed at lower temperatures. This not only contributes to the overall high performance of the asphalt, but also proves to be environmentally friendly, reducing energy consumption during production.

Adrian Reynolds, Business Manager at Express Asphalt said “Delivering SuperSport Track asphalt for the pump track on Sullivan Road has not only transformed an underused space but will also have a lasting and positive impact on the community, with families and young people able to enjoy a space that they can engage in outdoor activities with. The high-performance of the material, combined with careful planning and adherence to timings ensured a smooth delivery process for the construction of a high-quality pump track.”