Jointline developed a specialist civil engineering solution for Forestry England’s Picklescott Woodland Creation scheme, supporting the creation of new woodland infrastructure within Shropshire. The project focused on the construction of a durable forest access road, turning head, drainage infrastructure, and highway tie-in works to support long-term woodland management and maintenance operations.
The scheme formed part of Forestry England’s wider woodland creation programme, delivering sustainable infrastructure designed to improve operational access while integrating sensitively within the rural environment.
The Challenge
The Picklescott Woodland Creation project required the construction of new forest access infrastructure across undeveloped ground conditions while ensuring durability, drainage performance, and compatibility with future forestry operations.
Key challenges included:
Constructing a stable forest road and turning head suitable for forestry traffic.
Managing soft ground conditions through geotextile and geogrid stabilisation systems.
Delivering effective drainage and water management solutions.
Integrating the new access road with the existing highway network through a reinforced tarmac apron.
Maintaining environmental protection measures throughout excavation and earthworks activities.
Delivering robust surfacing capable of withstanding long-term operational use and changing weather conditions.
The works also required precise kerbing, culvert installation, and retention pond excavation to ensure long-term infrastructure resilience and surface water management.
The Solution
Jointline proposed a structured civil engineering package aligned with Forestry England’s Civil Engineering Dynamic Purchasing Specification.
The proposed works included:
Mobilisation, site establishment, welfare provision, wheel wash systems, and site safety infrastructure.
CAT scanning of all working areas prior to excavation to identify underground services.
Excavation and stripping of organic material across the proposed road alignment and turning head.
Installation of non-woven geotextile membranes beneath the access road and apron areas to improve subgrade stability.
Construction of the new forest access road using imported quarried 80mm and 40mm graded aggregate layers compacted to cambered profiles for effective drainage performance.
Installation of MOT Type 1 subbase within the tarmac apron area.
Installation of new splay kerbs, including concrete bedding and haunching around existing ironwork.
Installation of geogrid reinforcement at the transition between tarmac and aggregate surfaces to minimise movement and improve durability.
Construction of a 450mm uPVC culvert system to support site drainage requirements.
Re-levelling and upgrading of existing gully and manhole infrastructure.
Machine laying of base, binder, and hot rolled asphalt surface courses to form the highway apron connection.
Excavation of a retention pond to assist with long-term surface water management.
The proposed methodology combined durable forestry infrastructure techniques with effective drainage and environmental management measures to support the long-term operational requirements of the woodland site.
The Benefits
The Picklescott Woodland Creation infrastructure scheme was designed to provide Forestry England with a reliable and sustainable woodland access network capable of supporting future maintenance and forestry activities.
The completed works would:
Improve access throughout the woodland site for operational vehicles and maintenance teams.
Enhance drainage performance and reduce standing water risks.
Improve long-term road stability through geotextile and geogrid reinforcement systems.
Provide durable surfacing suitable for forestry operations and changing weather conditions.
Reduce future maintenance requirements through robust construction techniques and high-quality materials.
Support the ongoing development and management of Forestry England’s woodland creation programme.
By combining specialist woodland civils expertise with practical infrastructure solutions, Jointline demonstrated its capability to deliver forestry access and drainage schemes safely, efficiently, and in line with Forestry England specifications.
