Jointline prepared a specialist civil engineering package for Forestry England’s Sherwood AFA Trail Work project at Sherwood Pines. The scheme focused on improving accessibility, surfacing quality, and visitor experience across multiple woodland trail routes and public access areas within the popular forest destination.
The proposed works included the construction of new accessible pathways, resurfacing of existing routes, regrading works, and improvements to disabled parking facilities, helping Forestry England enhance inclusive access throughout the site.
The Challenge
The Sherwood AFA Trail Work project required upgrades across several active public-use areas within a woodland environment. The works needed to improve accessibility and usability while maintaining the natural character of the forest setting.
Challenges included:
Constructing durable paths suitable for year-round public use.
Managing gradients and crossfalls to improve accessibility.
Working within existing woodland infrastructure with minimal disruption.
Reprofiling uneven surfaces and worn pathways.
Delivering sustainable drainage and stable surfacing within environmentally sensitive areas.
Enhancing disabled parking facilities to improve visitor access.
As Sherwood Pines is a busy visitor destination, careful planning was also required to safely manage public interaction throughout the works. Construction activities had to be coordinated around peak visitor periods, with deliveries carefully timed to minimise disruption. Certain working areas were temporarily cordoned off, with additional signage installed to maintain safe pedestrian movement and clear communication across the site. Jointline also worked closely with Forestry England visitor centre staff to identify suitable timing windows for activities affecting high-traffic areas such as car parks and main access routes.
The scheme also required careful material selection and installation techniques to ensure long-term durability while blending with the surrounding landscape.
The Solution
Jointline developed a detailed pathway and access improvement solution covering several key locations throughout the Sherwood Pines site.
The proposed works included:
Construction of new 2-metre-wide accessible woodland paths at Archer’s Stroll Extension and Robin Hood’s Workshop routes.
Removal of topsoil and organic material prior to installation of non-woven geotextile membranes for improved ground stability.
Installation and compaction of quarried granite Type 1 subbase materials in accordance with MCHW guidance.
Application of granite fines surfacing to provide durable and visually sympathetic pathway finishes.
Regrading and reprofiling of existing paths to improve accessibility, including maximum gradient and crossfall controls.
Resurfacing of campsite access routes to improve pedestrian usability and reduce surface deterioration.
Reinstatement and redressing of pathway edges using retained site-won material.
Upgrades to disabled parking bays, including reprofiling, resurfacing, and installation of timber parking posts supplied by Forestry England.
To minimise disruption to visitors, Jointline implemented phased working areas, temporary barriers, and additional wayfinding signage throughout the programme. Deliveries and higher-impact activities were scheduled around quieter operating periods wherever possible, helping maintain safe public access while ensuring efficient project delivery.
The works were designed to provide safe, durable, and accessible routes while maintaining the woodland character and minimising environmental impact throughout construction activities.
The Benefits
The Sherwood Pines trail improvement scheme was designed to significantly enhance accessibility, safety, and visitor experience across key public areas of the forest site.
The completed improvements would:
Provide smoother and more accessible walking routes for visitors of all abilities.
Improve year-round usability through durable surfacing and stable subbase construction.
Enhance accessibility gradients and reduce uneven surfaces.
Improve disabled parking provision and accessibility infrastructure.
Reduce future maintenance requirements through high-quality construction materials and installation methods.
Maintain safe visitor access throughout the construction programme through effective public management measures.
Support Forestry England’s commitment to inclusive public access within natural environments.
By combining specialist civils expertise with sensitive woodland construction methods and proactive public management, Jointline demonstrated its capability to deliver high-quality public realm and accessibility improvements within active recreational forestry environments.
