URBAN TREES,

HIGHWAYS &
UTILITIES
V.2
BY GREENBLUE URBAN

Creating healthier urban spaces in harmony with nature

 Contents

5 Urban Trees and Highways 56 Urban Constraints

6 Meet Our Contributors 57 Below Ground Competition

9 Valuing Trees Along Highways 58 Lockerbie High Street

12 The Co-Benefits of Urban Tree Planting 63 Working Around Utilities

The Role of Urban Trees in Carbon

14 64 Lansdowne Public Realm Bournemouth
Sequestration
Kent County Council: Trees and Utilities
16 The Benefits of Urban Trees 66
Study

18 Designing with Canopy In Mind 68 Accessing Utilities After Tree Installation

21 The Strand, Aldwych 70 Footway Constrictions

22 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow 72 Policies & Planning

27 Healthy Streets 73 Introduction to the Policy Sub Section

29 Castleward, Derby 74 Policy & Legislation

Incorporating Nature Based Solutions to

30 Structural Applications 76
Combat Climate Change

31 The Principles of Soil Support Systems 78 Highways, Adoption and Maintenance

32 Road Pavement Build-up Design 81 Regeneration of Taunton Station Forecourt

Load Bearing Requirements and Paving The Green Streets Project : White Rose
34 82
Depths Community Forest

36 RootSpace Load Testing 84 Stormwater Management

38 RootSpace Load Bearing Capacity 85 The Principles of SuDS

41 Soil Cells Under Pedestrian Areas 86 Design Interventions

42 Transforming Archway Gyratory 88 Trees & Stormwater Management

46 Soil Cells Under Vehicular Trafficked Zones 90 North Street, Keighley

50 Soil Cells Under Vehicular Parking Zones 93 Wood Street, Cardiff

52 How to Install RootSpace 94 Pioneering SuDS at Greener Grangetown

55 Hamilton Gardens, Cabra, Dublin 98 Conclusion

2
Case Study: King's Crescent, Hackney
Project type: Public Realm
Landscape Architect: Muf Architecture, Karakusevic Carson Architects

3
 01
Urban Constraints

Case Study: 20 Fenchurch Street, London

Project type: Public Realm
Contractor Canary Wharf Contractors/Land Securities
Landscape Architect: Gillespies

4

Urban Trees
and Highways
Trees planted in urban areas are scarcely a modern
idea; both in ancient Egypt and in China, tree lined
streets were a feature, both inside and outside city
limits. In hotter climates, trees were valued for their
shade, but the lack of water in many more arid
zones meant that trees did not grow to a large size.
In 19th century Europe, the tree lined roads, the
boulevards, avenues and allées became a common
sight.
The Baroque movement encouraged the
planting of lines of trees, and this was particularly
noticeable in cities such as Paris and Vienna.
Urban trees have not played a major part of our
UK cities historically – partly because many of
our older towns and cities were originally walled,
and space within the city walls was at a premium
and could not be “wasted” on trees. However,
since the Victorian age, awareness of the benefits
of urban trees have changed this, and there are
now few local authorities who do not actively
encourage urban tree planting.
With the increasing urbanisation of our towns,
pressure on space to plant trees is huge.
Priorities are under challenge, our road systems
with increasing traffic, the need to provide safe
pedestrian access suitable for disabled persons,
and the plethora of below ground constraints
create almost impossible hurdles to overcome.
Introduction
Much of our existing older urban tree stock was
not actually planted but remains a reminder of
the rural history of the now residential street.
Many large trees would have been part of ancient
hedgerows, or part of agricultural boundaries;
when development was carried out, large feature
trees left in-situ gave character to the new
properties and added value to the developer.
The increase in soil compaction is also another
factor in the struggle to establish healthy urban
trees: only by preserving the vital life-giving soil
can we get trees to grow and give us the canopy
cover that brings us all the benefits we value.
GreenBlue Urban is pleased to present this guide
as a pointer to all disciplines involved in our urban
realm design and construction.
Only as we give green infrastructure some sort
of parity with grey infrastructure in our urban
conurbations will we truly build resilience and
create sustainable cities for future generations.
5
 Meet Our Contributors

Kenton Rogers
Co-Founder, Treeconomics

Kenton Rogers is the co-founder of Treeconomics. Kenton is a forestry consultant and has
worked in the industry for over twenty years, starting out as a field technician with Forest
Research prior to obtaining a diploma in Forest Management from the National School of
Forestry at Newton Rigg.

Robert Huxford
Director, Urban Design Group

Robert Huxford is Director of the Urban Design Group, a membership based charity which
seeks to support anyone who wants to improve people's quality of life in cities, towns and
villages, through better design and management.

Louise Butfoy BSc (Hons)

Trees Outside Woodlands Project Officer, Kent County Council

Louise Butfoy is the Trees Outside Woodland Project Officer at Kent County Council. The
Trees Outside Woodland programme is developing innovative and sustainable new ways to
increase tree cover to address both climate and ecological emergencies.

The programme is funded by HM Government as part of the Shared Outcomes Fund

and delivered in partnership with The Tree Council, Natural England, the Department for
Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and five Local Authorities including Kent County Council.

Peter Stevens
Environmental Consultant, AJS Flood Risk Consulting

With a wealth of experience in delivering sustainable land management on the ground and
leading on volunteer management and community engagement.

Pete has delivered a national multi-partner project on sustainable waste management,

creating fresh guidance for the National Trust. With a BSc degree in Economics and
specialising in Environmental and Behavioural Economics. Pete is passionate about delivering
projects that are designed to succeed indefinitely through careful initial design.

6
 Introduction
Alan Simson
Professor of Landscape Architecture + Urban Forestry, Leeds Beckett University

Alan Simson is a Professor of Landscape Architecture and Urban Forestry, Leeds Beckett
University. He is involved in research, trans-disciplinary teaching and consultancy on adaptive
/ landscape urbanism, urban forestry and green infrastructure.

University, Chair WRF Steering Group As Chair of the White Rose Forest, Alan is proud to
support our communities to be happy, healthy, and alive with possibility.

Hen Abbott
Principal Highways Development Management Engineer

A civil engineer with over 30 years experience of highway condition analysis, highway main-
tenance and development managment, both with local authorities and engineering con-
sultancies. Seeing first hand the damage trees can do to the highway infrastructure and the
results of poor planning, planting and managment of street trees has led to my involvment
with TDAG to help devise and promote tree selection, planting systems and tree managment
which allows both the tree to thrive and the highway to remain in a safe condition for all users.

Ian Titherington
Senior Policy Advisor, Welsh Government

Ian Titherington is a Local Government Civil Engineer who has specialised in the design
and maintenance of drainage systems for 30 years. He was the instigator of the Greener
Grangetown project, a pioneering scheme that has successfully retro-fitted sustainable
drainage in an inner city community of Cardiff.

With testimonials from:

Fiona Burn
Head of Place, Worthing Borough Council

Andrew Mindham
Gateway Officer (Planning, Transportation and Highways) City of Bradford

7
 Case Study: BBC Television Centre Building, White City
Project type: Public Realm, Residential
Contractor P J Carey
Landscape Architect: Gillespies

8
 Introduction
Valuing Trees Along
Highways
Kenton Rogers - Treeconomics

The range of benefits derived from trees are many and varied. These benefits have a
very real and substantial economic impact. Although realising this value is not always
easy, even quantifying just some of the services provided by trees has helped designers
of highways schemes justify the retention of existing trees, argue for more ambitious
planting schemes and to lever additional funding.

Cafe

Air Pollution Filtration Asphalt Protection

Trees capture particulates on their high Shading from trees can increase the
surface area (leaves and bark). longevity of Asphalt by 15%.

C
C

Carbon Storage Noise Reduction

Trees store carbon - a major contributor to Traffic noise can be substantially reduced by
climate change. trees leading to improved health and well-
being of those living close to highways.

Traffic Calming Rainwater Attenuation

Trees can be used to reduce stress and Trees hold water in their canopies and
traffic speed, as well as to encourage car hold together soil which is important in
free transport. reducing surface runoff.

9
 In 2015 a collaboration between Highways
England, Keir, Treeconomics, Evans Associates,
Davey and Forest Research released the results of
an ‘i-Tree Eco’ tree valuation survey on the Area 1
(South West Region) Highways network .
won 3 industry awards. The evidence and data was
also used to make the case for the development of
more advanced tools that would allow for highways
designers to assess the environmental and
economic impact of a new infrastructure project.

The i-Tree report found that the trees of Area 1 Highways England’s response to the Road
removed over 29 tonnes of pollutants each year, a Investment Strategy is the Highways England
service valued at £611,000 per annum. The removal Delivery Plan 2015-2020.
of just the particulate matter (PM10s) by trees and
shrubs was equivalent to the annual emissions This delivery plan is structured around the
from 31,000 large family cars. Further amounts and following 5 strategic objectives:
values are summarised in the infographic below.
1. Supporting economic growth,
The main objectives of the i-Tree project was to 2. A safe and serviceable network,
evaluate the value of the natural capital on the 3. A more free-flowing network,
area 1 highways network and to raise awareness 4. An improved environment,
of the importance of this natural capital within the 5. A more accessible and integrated network.
organisation. However, this piece of work was just
the beginning of a longer journey to integrate
the ‘value’ of this natural capital into the strategic
decision making process.
As part of the awareness raising the i-Tree project

Total Number of trees: 303,000

Tree Cover: 34.9%
Most common Species: Ash, Field maple and Sycamore
Carbon sotrage (for trees in year of study (2014))
Replacement cost (trees): £91,400,000 22,200 tonnes / £1,260,000 p/yr

C
C
C

C
C
C C C C
C

Carbon sequestration (trees)

C C

1980 tonnes / £113,000 p/yr

Avoided Runoff (trees and shrubs)

75,753.48 cu m / £40,020 p/yr
C
C
C C

C
C
C
C

Pollution removal (trees and shrubs)

29 tonnes / £611,000 p/yr
Amenity Valuation (trees): £40,161,044
Total Annual Benefits: £764,020
Per Hectare Benefits (trees): £1528.04
Screening Valuation (trees): £64,000,000
Infographic 1: Highways England Area 1 Tree Valuation

10

The Data from the tree valuation study was used
to demonstrate that trees and landscaping can
contribute to the delivery of 4 out of 5 of these
objectives - and can have a direct impact on at
least 2 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), as well
as a number of Performance Indicators (PIs) and
requirements that HE is expected to report to
Government on.
For example, in (1) Supporting economic growth
throughout the country, trees affect the perception
of drivers/users of roadside communities.
Trees also assist with perception/anticipation
of road geometry; trees provide an effective
windshield; trees create an 'appeasing roadside'
helping to reduce stress and associated potential
impacts on driver behaviour. Trees also contribute
to stormwater management and flood prevention,
and ensure embankment stabilisation thereby
enhancing safety and serviceability (2).
With regard to enhancing the environment (4),
trees provide effective visual screening and also
contribute to moderate noise attenuation (where
there is sufficient depth of vegetation), but they
also reduce airborne pollutants and support
biodiversity.
Trees and landscaping can enhance the 'usability'
of network crossings and other routes provided
along the network for vulnerable users thereby
enhancing integration and accessibility (5). Trees
also enhance the visual integration of the trunk
road network within the wider landscape.
The i-Tree report articulated the potential for
trees and natural capital on the Area 1 soft estate,
and recommended for roadside vegetation to be
managed as a functional asset, making a positive
contribution to the delivery of the 5 objectives HE
is committed to.
The tools were produced to assist those designing
highways schemes throughout the highways
design process.
Introduction
How this tool works
At the concept design stage a look up table is
used. The designer simply enters the area for
each vegetation type which is identified on site
(eg: maintained grass, mature woodland, heath
etc) into the spreadsheet. The spreadsheet will
then generate the value of the potential loss of
ecosystem services (ES) based on Stormwater
Attenuation, Pollution Removal and Carbon
Reduction.
For detailed design stage, stands or individual
trees are considered and the benefits of new tree
planting in various locations is accounted for.
These outputs will be part of the technical design
and consensus design workshops within HE’s
design stages.
The tool is capable of estimating the potential
loss of benefits or ES from trees on a proposed
development and also produces estimates of
future ES for different tree species and timescales
(design life - 30yrs, whole life - 60yrs and tree life
- 100yrs), which are discounted commuted sums
or net present values calculated to Green Book
standards.
The outputs are used to inform the Environmental
Impact Assessment and are submitted as part of
Area 1 Bids for Infrastructure Projects.
Area 1 is the first Highways area to be able to
demonstrate the evaluation of the Natural Capital
ES in its design process. This is both in terms
of quantifying how existing soft estate may be
effected, impacted or lost through a design, and
also how proposed new soft estate can mitigate for
the loss within the design bid, based on the loss of
benefits now and into the future.
As a result vegetation isn't just synonymous
with 'aesthetics' or 'biodiversity', but is also
understood as having 'functional attributes' that
can be optimised in light of both maintenance
requirement (safety, costs) and HE key priority
outcomes.
11
 The Co-Benefits of Urban
Tree Planting
The full range of benefits that urban trees bring
to humanity is not yet fully understood – let alone
measured. Many scientists believe that human
health and well-being is directly connected to
the availability of green space, and trees are
an important part of this; in fact, in many of our
congested cities, most of the green infrastructure
is provided by trees in streets, squares, plazas and
other hard paved areas.
In our experience, the benefits that accrue from
an urban tree only really begin to be realised
once the tree reaches establishment – that is, it
is independent in the landscape and growing in
a regular consistent pattern. This is an important
point, as it is the size of the canopy cover not the
numbers of trees that is important, and the real
factor is leaf surface area. It is this canopy size that
determines the benefit quantity, and ability to
influence conditions around the tree.
Often trees are planted for the aesthetic
properties – the green background to our
urban spaces. Whilst this benefit must not be
underrated, the real value to humanity comes
from some of the other less well appreciated
advantages that trees bring. We all understand
that shade from tree canopies provides a cool
area beneath the trees, but this shade can
drastically reduce air conditioning requirements in
adjacent buildings by sheltering them from the full
sun, thus reducing carbon emissions from power
stations.
Trees also can actually cool the air, by use of
evapo-transpiration, raising humidity levels and
dropping temperatures.
12
Trees provide a microclimate, making life more
pleasant both inside and out. Trees raise property
prices – selling properties faster and for higher
prices and raising rental revenue, higher prices
can be charged for goods in shops in tree lined
streets, and even parking fees can be raised in
these environments. Trees help clean the air which
we breathe by capturing air borne pollutants,
absorbing carbon dioxide and providing us with
oxygen to breathe.
During storm events, tree canopies hold large
volumes of water, both on the leaves and the
bark, and by drawing water from the ground,
help maintaining a stable ground water situation.
Planting trees by roads has been proven to reduce
road speeds, road rage incidents and therefore
reduce vehicle collisions. Just the planting of trees
encourages human physical activity, reducing
demand on the health service, and even for
those in hospitals, the view of trees from the ward
windows can reduce painkiller requirements and
the length of hospital stay.
Regular exercise among trees is effective in
reducing stress, blood pressure, and trees even
alter social interaction – higher canopy cover
levels have been linked with reduced crime and
anti-social activity. It has been proved that trees
reduce symptoms of ADHD in children and
help reduce the number of cases of respiratory
diseases in city environments.
Finally, trees help sequester carbon; mitigating
against the effects of climate change, promoting
healthy, bio-diverse and sustainable cities.
Introduction

13
 The Role of Urban Trees in
Carbon Sequestration
With increasing levels of air pollution and the
pressing need to combat climate change urban
trees play a vital role in improving air quality
and mitigating the effects of carbon emissions
absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the
atmosphere during photosynthesis. This process
helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and
combat global warming.
Urban trees filter out pollutants such as particulate
matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide, thus
improving air quality in urban environments
enhancing public health outcomes and a higher
quality of life. They provide shade and reduce
the urban heat island effect, lowering energy
consumption for cooling and enhancing urban
liveability.
A study conducted by the Nature Conservancy
estimated that increasing urban tree canopy
cover by just 10% in major cities worldwide
could offset emissions equivalent to taking 33
million cars off the road annually.
The UK’s Government Environment Plan states a
commitment that everyone should live within 15
minutes’ walk of a green or blue space. Urban
trees are integral to air quality improvement
strategies to create healthier, more sustainable
urban environments.
Cities such as London have made significant
strides in expanding their urban tree canopy.
The Greater London Authority has set a goal to
increase tree canopy cover by 10% by 2050.
14
Best Practices for Tree Planting:
Mature urban trees offer greater carbon
sequestration potential compared to young trees.
A mature tree can sequester several times more
carbon than its younger counterpart.
– Choosing native and climate-appropriate tree
species is crucial to ensure their adaptability
and longevity.
– Incorporating trees early into urban planning
and development processes is essential.
– Using proven solutions to aide maturity will
maximise their impact.
– Regular maintenance: pruning and watering
to ensure the health and
– Community involvement in tree care can
foster a sense of ownership and pride.
Urban trees are not only aesthetically pleasing but
also essential components of urban sustainability.
Through carbon sequestration and air quality
improvement, they play a crucial role in mitigating
climate change and enhancing the well-being of
urban residents. By embracing best practices in
tree planting and management, our towns and
cities can look forward to a greener and healthier
future for their residents and the planet.
 Introduction
Tree Species Soil
Volume Guide

This second version of the highly popular

Soil Volume Guide for Tree Species became
desirable for a number of reasons. Primarily, as
research and industry knowledge has increased,
our understanding of tree rooting requirements
has enabled us to more accurately calculate
volumes needed to support mature canopies,
and we are pleased to offer these revised
volumes.

Scan QR code to
download.

Tree Species
Selection for Green
Infrastructure
An invaluable guide for specifiers on species
Issue 1.3/2019
selection for green infrastructure written by
Dr Andrew Hirons and Dr Henrik Sjöman
and developed as part of a NERC sponsored
project involving University Centre Myerscough,
Written by:
Dr Andrew Hirons and Dr Henrik Sjöman Lancaster University and Trees & Design Action
Group.

Primary Project Funder Academic Partners Guidance Sponsors

TDAG

Scan QR code to
download.

15
The Benefits of

Urban Trees
 Introduction
Properties landscaped with trees sell
quicker and are worth 5% to 15% more
than homes without trees.

A single mature tree can absorb carbon

at a rate of 21.6kg per year.

Increased canopy cover helps mitigate

air pollution, with street trees reducing
particulate matter concentration by 15-
20%.

Trees properly placed around buildings

as windbreaks can save up to 25% on
winter heating costs.

People are willing to pay 9% to 12%

more for goods and services in a
shopping area with large, well-cared for
trees.

Trees properly placed around buildings

can reduce air conditioning needs by
30%.

Shade from street trees can reduce

concrete surface temperatures by an
average of 12°.

For every 10% increase in urban tree

canopy, carbon is reduced by 3-7%.

17
 Designing With Canopy
In Mind
Robert Huxford - Urban Design Group

There are few things that improve the look and
experience of a street as much as trees in leaf
or in blossom. Even in the winter many of us will
have been outside at dusk, listening to a solitary
blackbird singing on a branch, the tree silhouetted
against the fading sky.
grow without damage from passing vehicles, or
interference from poorly sited and specified street
lighting. They need space below the surface for
their roots to grow, in healthy, uncompacted soil,
where they can be free from disturbance and
damage by utility companies.

Trees reduce stress, restore concentration, the
rustle of the leaves disguises the hiss of urban
traffic, and the water evaporating from the leaves
in the intense heat of high summer helps to
hold down temperatures. Trees planted by the
carriageway edge reduce the optical width for
drivers, encouraging them naturally to drive more
slowly; they also can be planted in the carriageway
to soften the harsh appearance of on-street
parking.
Where streets are competently designed,
efficient use is made of the under-street, with
space provided space for tree pits, SuDS features
ranging from infiltration to storage so that the
street can cope with anticipated increase in
flood rise from intense cloud-bursts, as well as
providing a clear, but controlled zone for utilities,
and reserved space for future uses which might
include underground waste storage systems, or
district heating and cooling pipes.

Some people say that street trees are a hazard Good street design will consider all these things:
to motorists who lose control of their vehicles; the practicalities of sub-surface design, the
but conversely, drivers who lose control of their practicalities of maintenance, and the sheer
vehicles are a hazard to oncoming traffic, cyclists delight that trees bring to what is otherwise a
and pedestrians. Nearly 8 percent of pedestrian harsh urban realm.
fatalities occur while the pedestrian is on the
footway, struck by a driver who has failed to keep
their car under control. The legal duty is clear.
Drivers are required to have regard to their own
safety and the safety of other road users.

There are so many different options for streets

trees, ranging from the continuous canopy
you can get from large tree species planted in
avenues, through to individual planting used to
frame particular buildings, or positioned at the
end of a street so that travellers are heading
towards a rich, green vista.

Trees give so much, but they do require things

in return. They need space above ground to

18
 Introduction
"There are few
things that improve the
look and experience of
a street as much as
trees in leaf or in
blossom."

Case Study: St Peter's Square, Manchester

Project type: Public Realm
Contractor City of Trees
Landscape Architect: Latz und Partners, Arup

19
20

The Strand
Aldwych
The Aldwych area, nestled in the heart of London,
has undergone a remarkable transformation in
recent years. Aldwych is rich and diverse, originally
developed in the early 20th century as a grand
thoroughfare, flanked by prestigious buildings
and theatres. Over time, it evolved into a bustling
commercial hub. However, changing urban needs
and traffic management had begun to take a toll
on its charm and functionality.
"A Vision for Aldwych"
LDA Design, played a pivotal role in envisioning
the revitalisation of Aldwych. Their work was
grounded in the belief that urban spaces
should be more than just thoroughfares; they
should be vibrant, people-centric environments
that promote sustainability and community
engagement.
Collaboration between LDA Design and
Westminster Council, aimed to enhance the
public realm by incorporating innovative urban
design principles and environmentally friendly
features, such as tree planting.
The primary goal was to transform Aldwych into a
welcoming and attractive space for pedestrians.
This involved expanding pavements reducing
vehicular traffic and creating designated areas
for social interaction. The existing London Plane
trees that lined the Aldwych were seen as valuable
assets the design aimed to celebrate and preserve
these trees.
Drawing inspiration from the Strand design, the
project proposed unique street furniture. These
pieces not only added aesthetic value but also
provided functionality, such as Wi-Fi hubs and
charging points.
Introduction
Project type:
Contractor
Urban Tree Planting
Street Tree Ltd
Landscape Architect: LDA Design
Tree Planting with GreenBlue Urban
GreenBlue Urban, in collaboration with Street
Tree Ltd, provided essential support for the tree
planting aspect of the project. They introduced
several innovative products and solutions to
ensure the health and longevity of the trees:
StrataCell load bearing soil cells, provided a
stable and supportive environment for tree roots,
preventing soil compaction and allowing for
healthy root growth. Geonet and reinforcing mesh
were used to improve soil structure and stability
with RootDirector’s guiding roots away from paved
areas, preventing damage to pavements and
roadways, ArborGuy Deadman Anchors ensured
the stability of the trees in high-traffic areas.
RootRain ArborVents promoted aeration and root
health by allowing oxygen to penetrate the soil.
The project incorporated creative design
interventions to enhance the public experience
with a range of street furniture strategically
placed, inspired by the design language of the
Strand. These included benches, tree wraps, and
seats located near bus stops. These additions
tied the Aldwych area together aesthetically and
functionally.
The transformation of Aldwych into a vibrant,
pedestrian-friendly space, with a focus on
preserving green assets and incorporating
innovative design elements, stands as a testament
to the successful collaboration between LDA
Design, Westminster Council, GreenBlue Urban,
and Street Tree Ltd.
This case study highlights how urban design can
blend history, sustainability, and functionality to
create thriving urban spaces for the community to
enjoy. Aldwych now stands as a shining example
of urban revitalisation and green urbanism in the
heart of London.
21
 Sauchiehall Street, Project type: Public Realm, Street scape
Contractor Ideverde Ltd

Glasgow Landscape Architect: Urban Movement

This long highway, heading out of Glasgow of pollution absorbance, and help cope with
towards the west, has long been a major stormwater management by treating water run
thoroughfare in the city. Built up from 1800 off from the paving areas through the tree pit
onwards as wealthy citizens wanted to build soil. These trees are a variety of species, chosen
themselves homes on the outskirts of the city, to give visual interest all of the year round,
it was straightened and named properly in the with different leaf colours, blossom and shape,
1840s. carefully selected to enhance the street scene.

The street was regenerated in the 1860s, at GreenBlue Urban worked closely with Glasgow
the turn of the century and during the 1960s. City Highways, Civic Engineers and lead
Interestingly, although the name “Sauchiehall” landscape architect Urban Movement to ensure
actually comes from the Scots word meaning that the scheme was simple to specify, easy
Willow Meadow by the river, the road has not had to install and requires minimal maintenance –
street trees before. guaranteeing long term canopy cover for future
Glaswegian generations.
There was considerable decline in the road since
the middle of the last century, as the retail and REVISION HISTORY
REV DESCRIPTION DATE APPROVED

entertainment worlds have changed, and the main

shopping areas have consolidated in the heart of
the city. There have been many efforts to turn this
around, and the awarding to Glasgow City Deal
funds meant that a proper scheme of revitalisation
could be planned.

Central to the Green Avenues plan was to

increase canopy cover in urban areas; Sauchiehall
Street being the pilot scheme to showcase how
green infrastructure can be used to change
human behaviour by challenging the dominance
of vehicles in the public realm. Twenty eight
specimen trees have been planted in full
GreenBlue Urban ArborSystems, providing a
IMPORTANT NOTES: NAME DATE GreenBlue Urban Ltd.

strong visual segregation between vehicles and

Northpoint, Compass Park
Robertsbridge, East Sussex TN32 5BS UK
DRAWN Adrian White
REVISION HISTORY 12/06/2018 Sales and Service: +44 (0)1424 717 797
Sales Fax: +44 (0)1424 533003
REV DESCRIPTION
CHECKED Lloyd Mumford DATE
12/06/2018 APPROVED Website: www.greenblueurban.com

TITLE
All weights and volumes stated are CAD system predictions and are ENG APPR Lloyd Mumford 12/06/2018 Special - Sauchiehall Street
therefore approximate. MGR APPR Dean Bowie 12/06/2018 Overall Assembly - Shallow Version
SIZE DWG NO REV
UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
A1 GRE-180408-DFT-001 B

pedestrians/cyclists.
DIMENSIONS ARE IN MILLIMETERS
If in doubt - Ask! ANGLES ±0.1°
FILENAME: SSA_Overall_Assembly_Shallow.dft
© GreenBlue Urban Ltd. - This drawing may not be copied or disclosed without permission.
IMPORTANT - 0PL ±1.0 1PL ±0.1 2PL ±0.01 3PL ±0.001 SCALE: WEIGHT: SHEET 1 OF 3
The vertical position of the Secondary Vertical Datum
will depend on the gradient at this section. The steeper
the gradient, the lower the Secondary Datum will be
Primary Hor-zontal Datum in relation to the Primary Vertical Datum. If there are
3725 For 6 Cell Width tree positions where the gradient is reversed (IE slopes
(3225 For 5 Cell Width) down toward the road) then the associated dimensions
should be taken with respect to the Primary Vertical

The tree pits are linked together, providing 2800 Datum instead.
(Check before installing

2575
Plastic Lumber Frame)

662,5
Centreline of 1st Parallel

maximum rooting space in uncompacted soil, RootSpace Uprights

607 Minimum

600

giving the trees the best opportunity of attaining

species potential.
Start of RootSpace Uprights

Secondary Vertical Datum

Impermeable Barrier laid
(On top of geotextiles)

1532 Preferred
1282 Minimum

at this level

Primary Vertical Datum

As well as the aesthetic attractiveness,

245

(encouraging a pavement café culture 3125 For 6 Cell Width

(2625 for 5 Cell Width)
atmosphere) these trees also provide a measure
IMPORTANT -
This is the optimum predicted depth of gravel on top of the impermeable barrier and underneath the two geonet layers. It must contain the Sleepers
with guy wires wrapped and attached (+ any spleeper joining brackets) and also the drainage pipe + sock + associated RootBarrier overlay.
This is the only layer where any uneveness or shortfall in trench depth can be accomodated, so great care must be taken to get the top of this at the DRAWN
NAME
Adrian White
DATE
12/06/2018
GreenBlue Urban Ltd.
Northpoint, Compass Park
Robertsbridge, East Sussex TN32 5BS UK
Sales and Service: +44 (0)1424 717 797

right level across the trench so that after the geotextiles are laid on top, it will provide the correct starting level for the RootSpace Uprights. CHECKED Lloyd Mumford 12/06/2018
TITLE
Sales Fax: +44 (0)1424 533003
Website: www.greenblueurban.com

ENG APPR Lloyd Mumford 12/06/2018 Special - Sauchiehall Street

MGR APPR Dean Bowie 12/06/2018 Overall Assembly - Shallow Version - Crucial Dimensions
SIZE DWG NO REV
UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
DIMENSIONS ARE IN MILLIMETERS A1 GRE-180409-DFT-001 B
If in doubt - Ask! ANGLES ±0.1° FILENAME: SSA_Overall_Assembly_Shallow_Crucial_Dimensions.dft
© GreenBlue Urban Ltd. - This drawing may not be copied or disclosed without permission. 0PL ±1.0 1PL ±0.1 2PL ±0.01 3PL ±0.001 SCALE: WEIGHT: SHEET 1 OF 1

22
Introduction

23
 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow (2021)

24
Introduction

25
"Attractive street
environments
encourage active travel,
as little as 20 minutes of
which a day is enough
to stay physically and
mentally healthy"

Case Study: London Wall Place

Project type: Public Realm
Landscape Architect: Spacehub

26

Healthy Streets
In large cities such as London, nearly 80% public
open space is comprised of streets and roads;
thoroughfares that for over one hundred years
have been dominated by motor vehicles. It
wasn’t always so: early motor vehicles had to be
preceded by a man with a red flag to ensure that
pedestrians and animals were not at risk of being
harmed by the large and noisy machines.
The recent pandemic has given a unique
opportunity to reconsider how much space we
really want or need to allocate to motor vehicles,
how much to pedestrians and how much to
cyclists. Public transport needs must be carefully
planned to maximise passenger numbers, but
minimise space taken in the public realm, and
redesign our streets for the uses we predict for the
future.
As we plan to reconfigure our urban realm,
where should we start? Should it by thinking of
pedestrians? Cyclists? Residents? Businesses? If
our town and cities are to be truly resilient and
sustainable places for all users, we must give a
higher priority than we have done historically to
green infrastructure – our parks, gardens, trees
and other elements of planting.
These benefits more than cover any small
maintenance liabilities. Benefits such as health
and wellbeing increases, reduced stormwater
issues and less road traffic collisions bring real
savings; these need to be redeployed to make the
maintenance net zero in cost.
In the UK, they’ve announced a £2 billion
government package to increase cycling
and walking, we will start to see pop-up bike
lanes with protected space for cycling, wider
pavements, safer junctions, and cycle and bus-
only corridors in England within weeks. TfL have
released a new Planning for Walking Toolkit
which provides tools to support the development
Introduction
of public realm design briefs in London, with
important considerations for green infrastructure.
GreenBlue Urban have proven many times that
properly planted trees and plants can enhance
the life experiences of everyone who lives, works,
and plays in urban areas. Well planned, correctly
installed and suitably maintained, these green
oases bring life changing differences to many
residents, particularly those with limited personal
access to private greenspace.
" Adur & Worthing Councils are passionate
about urban greening and have created
Greening Principles and a Greening Guide
for use by multiple stakeholders, community
groups, residents, and commercial developers.
As second tier councils we are mindful that
urban greening often requires the support of
the Highways Authority in order to progress
large scale initiatives e.g. a substantial Street
Trees project in Worthing using a crowdfunding
platform for community sponsorship ensuring a
cash neutral scheme. In all cases the desire is to
ensure that Greening is front and centre of urban
development and that emerging technologies
are embraced with the councils acting as early
adopters and place makers.
Working as partners Green Blue Urban have
provided Adur & Worthing Councils with the
technical solutions in the creation of new
initiatives and emerging greening policies.
Codesigning projects with local green and
community groups has facilitated community
power and enabled community ownership."
Fiona Burn
Head of Place, Adur and Worthing Councils.
27
28

Castleward,
Derby
The city of Derby in central England has long been
associated with industry; there are suggestions
that even the Romans had some sort of industry
there. Over the centuries many different types
of businesses have had their base here: textiles,
china manufacture, railway engineering and in the
20th Century, Rolls Royce and Toyota have made
their homes here.
However, the biggest change came to this market
town when the railway arrived. The River Derwent
and the Roman road system had provided travel
until then, but this central position in the country
meant that Derby was a great place to travel
from, and to. This central railway plant, with
manufacturing depot encouraged many railway
workers to settle here, and the town grew fast,
gaining city status in 1979.
In the central area north of the railway station
factories became established, usings the railways,
roads and the canal to ship their goods in and out
of the city. The main city centre became separated
from the station by this industrial growth, and
many slum houses near the city centre were
cleared in the inter-war years.
The Castlefields estate became a brownfield
site during the later part of the last century, and
Derby City Council partnered with a developer,
Compendium Living to breathe new life into
this area. With a 5 phase, 20 year development
plan, this zone was planned to become a new
residential hub, with a new school, 800 new
homes and a wide range of commercial premises.
Critical to the success of the scheme was that
this development (now names Castleward) was
to showcase sustainable development, with high
efficiency buildings and long lasting landscapes.
Central to the scheme was the creation of a new
route from the railway station into the town centre,
via the Derbion shopping centre. This street was
Introduction
Project type:
Contractor:
Streetscape
SAP Landscapes
Landscape Architect: HTA
planned to be an avenue where pedestrians,
cyclists and motorists could co-exist and travel
in attractive settings. Renamed Castleward
Boulevard, this street was carefully planned to
have large trees in between car parking spaces to
create a bio-diverse and resilient urban landscape.
GreenBlue Urban worked closely with the
designers, HTA to detail treepits in the buildouts
in hard paving that would enable the trees to
reach species potential longevity. This was
important as this development was to be a legacy
one, which future generations could also enjoy.
Using the GreenBlue Urban ArborSystem, the
StrataCells, Root Management, Irrigation and
powdercoated Clyde tree grilles, the complete
package was simple to install and has proven
to be hugely successful. Many challenges were
experienced by the modular nature of the system
meant that these could all be overcome, including
working around numerous different utilities and
below ground constraints.
Over the past nine years, the tree growth has
been remarkable, helping the early phases
attain a “Good” rating on the BREEAM score for
sustainable developments. From small saplings,
mighty trees have truly grown. As the later phases
of the development continue, the canopy cover
will continue to grow, creating canopies for
centuries, truly healthy urban spaces in harmony
with nature.
29
 02
Structural Applications

Northumberland Avenue

30
The Principles of
Soil Support Systems
With any type of hard surface design, there
are several vital pieces of information that
are required to make sure that the build-up is
calculated properly. These include the structural
bearing ability of the sub-base, the classification
of use, (what will pass over it) and the drainage
requirements among many others.
Much of the design consideration revolves around
long term stability of the finished surfacing; any
sub-standard design issues below the surface can
cause heave or subsidence within a short period
of time, which will bring large potential liabilities
for the authority responsible for the paving. Often
high levels of construction compaction of mixed
size aggregates are used to create stable sub-
bases which will not move under normal use and
should last for many decades.
However, this type of paving support – compacted
aggregate – is not suitable for tree establishment.
Tree roots are very sensitive to ground compaction
and cannot penetrate heavily compacted soils.
Often trees planted adjacent or into this kind of
base root very superficially and cause hard surface
failure through root breakout below the paving.
In the 1860s, the Victorians used suspended
paving systems to give the trees large volumes of
uncompacted soil. In Northumberland Avenue,
London, this system consisted of wrought iron
girders supporting large tree grilles and the
paving, leaving below it a soil vault continuing
right along the road.
This system gives an uninterrupted uncompacted
soil trench, adequately watered and with enough
gaseous exchange, making these beautiful trees
the envy of London.
In North America a similar system is used with
pre-formed concrete sidewalk sections, often
Structural Applications
called cantilever sidewalk construction, but again
providing good volumes of uncompacted soil.
During the mid-1990s, different methods were
trialled using a rock-soil matrix. This method mixed
aggregate together with organic material and
could be compacted to provide suitable long-term
structural stability, but trials in the UK have shown
that the high percentage of aggregate and very
low proportion of clay has meant that trees do not
establish well in these systems.
The reduced volume of organic material leads to
nutrient depletion, and the low clay levels mean
that there is very little water holding capability,
leading to premature tree mortality.
The use of soil cell systems has proved very
effective, and where installed correctly has
protected against any surface disruption.
GreenBlue Urban pioneered the concept in 2001
with the RootCell, moving onto the StrataCell
in 2006 and now manufacturing the RootSpace
module capable of taking very high vehicle
loadings without deflection, but keeping the
precious soil in optimum root growing condition.
Manufactured from 100% recycled material,
GreenBlue Urban are saving the planet as well as
its inhabitants.
Different combinations and cellular systems are
available to suit all design criteria – please visit
our website or speak to one of our engineers for
details about your project.
31
 Road / Pavement
Build-up Design
Guidelines given in the DMRB HD24 HD26:
Pavement Design and Construction, require the
design of road surfacing and layer works to be
based principally on traffic assessment figures.
These are expressed in terms of million standard
(80kN) axle loads (msa) to be carried during the
design life of the construction. This traffic loading
together with the quality of the subgrade dictates
the selection of the surfacing and depth of a road
pavement required.

The dispersal of wheel loads carried by buried

structures depends on the type and depth of road
layer works selected. Subbase layers are normally
made up of compacted type 1 gravel. Surfacing
layers are typically bituminous macadam,
reinforced concrete or block pavers.

Material Angle of load spread

Reinforced concrete 1.5 horz. to 1 vertical

Bituminous macadam 1.0 horz. to 1 vertical
Unreinforced concrete 1.0 horz. to 1 vertical
Compacted Type 1 Gravel 0.5 horz. to 1 vertical
Interlocking block paving 1.0 horz. to 1 vertical

Pavement²
Pavement Base Course³

Pavement²
Pavement Base Course³
675mm
475mm

300mm 300mm

Sub-Base Course / Drainage Layer4

Sub-Grade Soil5

400 Series 600 Series

(1-layer) (1-layer)

32
 Structural Applications
The wheel load “footprint” on the road surface may be assumed to disperse further through the materials
as shown in:

The following table gives the minimum allowable paving construction depths required to disperse a
4.5 tonne wheel load (as an example) on different RootSpace configurations (this is based on a typical
macadam type road construction and the standard tree pit detail of GBU specification:

Total Cover
RootSpace configuration Height Subbase Type 1 depth Macadam depth *
depth
400 single 475mm 200mm 150mm 350mm
600 single 675mm 300mm 150mm 450mm
400 + 400 875mm 300mm 150mm 450mm
400 + 600 1075mm 325mm 150mm 475mm
600 + 600 1275mm 325mm 150mm 475mm

* Total depth of bound bituminous layers (Minimum construction depths for a full range of wheel loads are available separately)

Pavement²
Pavement Base Course³

Pavement²
Pavement Base Course³

Pavement²
Pavement Base Course³ 1275 mm
1075 mm
875 mm

300mm 300mm 300mm

Sub-Base Course / Drainage Layer4

Sub-Grade Soil5

400 Series 400 & 600 Series 600 Series

(2-layers) (1-layer each) (2-layers)

33
 Load Bearing Requirements
and Paving Depths

There are many British and European standards

that apply to highway design & construction, but
there is no formal standard yet for below ground
Soil Cell Systems. To give clarity and compatibility,
BS EN 124:2015 is used for comparison purposes.

The applicable British Standard in the UK for

access covers and gully grates is BS EN 124:2015.
This standard divides access covers and gully
grates into a number of classes by static test load.
It also categorises the various places where they
may be installed from A15, the least demanding
environment, through to F900, the most
demanding environment. It provides guidance
on the minimum class of covers and grates to be
used in each environment classification.

While BS EN 124:2015 provides a useful

classification of loading classes and is common
knowledge with many people in the industry, the
testing regime it specifies for manhole covers, The RootCell structure underneath this pavement was subjected to 400 passes of an
8.2 tonne (9 ton) axle loading immediately adjacent to the structure and then a further
etc., cannot be applied to soil cell type systems. 200 passes immediately above the RootCell. As expected, no adverse movement of
the structure was detected.
These soil cell systems encounter a completely
different scale and form of loading factors and
comparison cannot therefore be drawn from BS
EN 124:2015 on this aspect.

Loading Environment Categories

GBU Category Maximum GVW BS EN 124:2015 Class

Category 1 Pedestrian and cycles A15

Category 2 1.5t Cars B125

Category 3 3.5t LGV B125

Category 4 7.5t HGV B125

Category 5 18.0t HGV D400

Category 6 44.0t HGV D400

34
 Layer Works Depth
Note, layer works depths described below assumes a minimum depth of 150mm bitumen bound
aggregate is included in the total layer works depth.

Example: Category 3 loading, RootSpace G2 400 product, layerworks should include as a minimum 150mm
granular aggregate and 150mm bitumen bound surfacing.

Structural Applications
Layer Works Depth Layer Works Depth
Category GVW
RootSpace G2 400 RootSpace G2 600

Axle load Paving Depths

Axle load
Pedestrian
Axle Only Paving
Paving Depths
RootSpace 600:
Category 1 Axle load
200mm
load 200mm
Paving Depths
Depths
Pedestrian
Axle load Only
Pedestrian Only RootSpace
RootSpace 600:
400:
600:
Paving Depths
Pedestrian Only RootSpace 600:
Pedestrian Only RootSpace
RootSpace 400:
RootSpace 400:
600:
400:
Pedestrian RootSpace 400:

Axle load Paving Depths

Axle
Axle load
load Paving
Paving Depths
RootSpace 600:
Depths
0.75t
Axle (7.5kN) - up to 1.5t GVW
load Paving Depths
0.75t (7.5kN) - up to 1.5t GVW RootSpace 600:
Category 2 Axle load
0.75t 250mm
0.75t (7.5kN)
(7.5kN) -- up
up to
to 1.5t
1.5t GVW
GVW
250mm
RootSpace
RootSpace 400:
600:
Paving Depths
600:
RootSpace
RootSpace 400:
0.75t (7.5kN) - up to 1.5t GVW RootSpace 400:
600:
400:
RootSpace 400:
1.5t GVW
Axle load Paving Depths
Axle
Axle load
load Paving Depths
RootSpace
Paving 600:
1.5t
Axle(15kN)
load - up to 3.5t GVW Paving Depths
Depths
1.5t (15kN)
load -- up RootSpace 600:
Axle
1.5t (15kN)
1.5t (15kN) up to
- up to 3.5t
to 3.5t GVW
3.5t GVW
GVW
RootSpace 400:
RootSpace 600:
Paving Depths
600:
RootSpace 400:
400:
Category 3 300mm
1.5t (15kN) - up to 3.5t GVW RootSpace
300mm 600:
RootSpace 400:
RootSpace 400:

3.5t GVW
Axle load Paving Depths
Axle
Axle load
load Paving Depths
RootSpace
Paving 600:
9t (90kN)
Axle load- up to 18t GVW Paving Depths
Depths
9t (90kN)
load-- up RootSpace 600:
Axle
9t (90kN)
9t (90kN) up to
- up to 18t
to 18t GVW
18t GVW
GVW
RootSpace 400:
RootSpace 600:
Paving Depths
600:
Category 4 350mm RootSpace
RootSpace 400:
400mm 400:
600:
9t (90kN) - up to 18t GVW RootSpace 400:
RootSpace 400:

7.5t GVW

Axle load Paving Depths

Axle
Axle load Paving Depths
RootSpace 600:
Axle load
11.5t (115kN) - up to 44t GVW
load Paving
Paving Depths
Depths
11.5t RootSpace 600:
11.5t (115kN)
Axle
11.5t (115kN) --- up
load
(115kN) up to
up to 44t
to 44t GVW
44t GVW
GVW
RootSpace
Paving 400:
RootSpace 600:
Depths
600:
Category 5 400mm RootSpace 400:
500mm
RootSpace 400:
600:
11.5t (115kN) - up to 44t GVW RootSpace 400:
RootSpace 400:

18.0t GVW

Axle load Paving Depths

Axle
Axle load
load Paving Depths
RootSpace
Paving 600:
Axle load Paving Depths
Depths
Axle load RootSpace
RootSpace 600:
400:
RootSpace 600:
Paving Depths
600:
RootSpace
RootSpace 400:
400:
600:
Category 6 450mm RootSpace
600mm 400:
RootSpace 400:

44.0t GVW

Note, these are indicative numbers only, responsibility for assessment for suitability for inclusion in any trafficked areas remains
with a person qualified to assess the geotechnical conditions, construction loadings and traffic loading effects in accordance with
applicable standards for the location. 35
 RootSpace
Load Testing

Extensive compression testing of RootSpace units

has been carried out at highly reputable independent
testing laboratories. Test data is interpreted from several
repetitions of the same test to provide reliability of
data and ensure consistency and accuracy of structural
performance.

An updated recycled polypropylene blend providing higher load bearing

performance characteristics will be made available – please enquire.

36
Structural Applications

37
 RootSpace Load
Bearing Capacity
Load bearing capacity of structural soil cells is a complex science. It is common to
interpret the actual breaking point of structural products as the ultimate allowable
wheel load. Engineers employed by GreenBlue allow a factor of safety by basing
calculations on loadings before undue displacement occurs.

Vertical Load Test Lateral Load Test Results

Results (With Side Panels)

392.4 kN/m² 40.0 tonne/m² 297.7 kN/m² 30.4 tonne/m² 308.0 kN/m² 31.4 tonne/m²

G2 400: 475mm units G2 400: 875mm units G2 600: 675mm units

(single height) (double height) (single height)

285.7 kN/m² 29.1 tonne/m² 139.4 kN/m² 14.2 tonne/m² 57.3 kN/m² 5.8 tonne/m²

G2 600: 1275mm units G2 400: 875mm units G2 600: 1275mm units

(double height) (double height) (double height)
Loaded on side - with side panels Loaded on side - with side panels

* Illustrations reflect exact configurations tested to achieve stated figures.

38
Structural Applications

39
40
Soil Cells Under Case Study:
Project type:
St Martins Precinct, Reading
Public Realm

Pedestrian Areas Contractor:

Landscape Architect:
Civic Trees
Barton Willmore

Caversham, just across the river Thames from

Structural Applications
the city of Reading, has been a seat of human
habitation for over 1,000 years. Mentioned in
the Domesday Book, the river was bridged here
sometime during the early 13th Century, and a
chapel dedicated to St Anne stood on the island
part way across the bridge.

Just north of the bridge, King Charles 1st fought

a desperate but unsuccessful battle to relieve the
besieged city of Reading, bringing thousands of
reinforcements from Caversham Hill to help.

Between the hill and the bridge, the town centre

is now a bustling shopping area, and at its heart,
St Martins Precinct provides an outdoor retail
zone. Built during the 1960s, this open square
had mature trees established, which by 2015 were
causing significant problems with the paving, and
the buildings needed renovation.

The owners of the centre showed vision in

insisting that new tree planting should be carried
out to a high standard, making sure that the
canopy cover should be replaced as soon as
possible. GreenBlue Urban working with Barton
Willmore, carefully designed a rooting system,
utilising the RootSpace soil cell system which
could take high loading capacity to allow for
maintenance vehicle overrun, but allow full long
term tree growth.

Completed during autumn 2017, this large

interconnected tree pit containing high quality
uncompacted topsoil was constructed, and the
paving, trees and tree grilles installed.

Now this pedestrianised area gives the residents

an attractive area to shop and eat, greatly
enhanced by mature trees, providing shade, water
attenuation, air pollution reduction and the many
many other benefits that healthy trees bring to our
urban environments.

41
 Transforming Case Study:
Project type:
Archway Gyratory, Islington
Highway

Archway Gyratory Contractor

Landscape Architect:
London Highways Alliance
TFL

The Archway Gyratory road junction in Holloway,
North London presented a major challenge for
the highway engineers when regeneration was
called for. This ancient road, dating back to at
least medieval times, and probably to the Roman
era, had become one of the main routes into
London, carrying approximately 60,000 vehicles
per day. Previous road re-alignments had left
various buildings isolated in the centre of the
roundabout, making pedestrian and cycle traffic
across the junction dangerous, and the local
authority needed to change this.
With the assistance of local residents, a new
design was proposed, opening up previously
heavily trafficked highway as pedestrian and
cyclist zones, and diverting road traffic around the
periphery of the new plaza area.
This dramatic revision of the public realm meant
that some of the established trees had to be
removed, and thus any new trees must be given
the very best opportunity to survive and flourish.
GreenBlue Urban were chosen as the partners
with Transport for London, working with the
contractors, Gavigan Paving, to realise the vision
of the local authority.
lateral loadings, caused by the continual adjacent
passage of HGVs.
The RootSpace system incorporates a fully
interlocking leg and lid system, maximising the
strength of the whole structure. Once filled with
a good quality topsoil, this system provides
optimum growing medium for trees, keeping the
soil uncompacted and aerated, thus replicating
the forest floor scenario.
The completed installation has been a great
success. The new plaza area called Archway
Square is used by a wide cross section of the
public, and when the sun comes out, many people
are using this area as a communal public zone.
The Square is also used as a public space for
local events and has succeeded in uniting the
previously separated sides of the town centre. The
dedicated cycle lane has removed the dangerous
mixing of vehicle traffic with the more vulnerable
cyclist and has encouraged the use of bicycles for
commuting.

The A1 road is such a heavily trafficked highway

that highway engineers applied strenuous
structural parameters to any below ground
structures, as any failure below ground could have
catastrophic consequences.

As we expected, the GreenBlue Urban RootSpace

structural soil cell system passed all the
engineering requirements with flying colours,
and the installation was carried out during the
summer of 2016, involving the installation of large
joint tree pits. These tree pits were additionally
strengthened with the use of RootSpace side
panels, to mitigate against the anticipated high

42
Structural Applications

43
 Archway Gyratory, Islington (2019)

44
Structural Applications

45
 Soil Cells Under Case Study: Wokingham Market Place

Vehicular Trafficked Project type:

Contractor
Public Realm
Balfour Beatty

Zones
Wokingham was late to be settled in comparison
with other nearby towns, as it was always a heavily
forested area. It appears it was first settled by
Saxons travelling west from Woking, but there
is no early record of it, until the church was built
during the 1100s.
The real town building began in about 1220, when
the Bishop set out numerous building plots on
parallel roads, terminating in a triangular market
place, where the Town Hall now stands. The right
to hold markets in this space was granted, and this
town became the centre for the Windsor Forest
people during medieval times.
hazards. It was therefore obvious to include
GreenBlue Urban when the new tree positions
were planned, to ensure that the new trees
planted had the opportunity to attain species
potential and provide large canopies in the future.
Working with the contractors, GreenBlue Urban
assisted in the installation of these full-sized tree
pits, working around below ground utilities and
constraints. The results are spectacular – the
backdrop of green canopy cover giving this
historic market place a calm peaceful air, and an
attractive setting for those who work, live or pass
through the town centre.

During the Tudor reigns, the market place became

associated with bull-baiting, where a local butcher
donated a bull to be taunted and attacked by
dogs on 21st December, then slaughtered and
the meat distributed to the poor of the town;
mercifully this cruel sport was outlawed in 1835.

Much of the town centre is Victorian, but there

are several exceptional older properties, many
of them dating back to more prosperous times.
Wokingham was known for its silk, its bell
foundries and more latterly, brick making, and
these trades brought immigrants, and money
to the town. The first Guildhall was built on the
Market Place in 1612, but this was demolished in
1858, and replaced by the fine building currently
in use in 1860.

As with many towns, road traffic began to cause

major congestion in the town centre. Early one-
way systems became a problem, and in 2010 the
local authority decided that a total revamp of the
market place and road network was essential.

There have always been trees in Wokingham town

centre – the town motto is E Glande Quercus
(“from the acorn, the oak”) and the existing trees
were causing pavement breakup and structural

46
Structural Applications

47
 Wokingham Market Place

48
Structural Applications

49
 Soil Cells Under Case Study: Leyland Street, Prescot
Project type: Streetscape

Vehicular Parking Contractor:

Landscape Architect:
Dowhigh Limited
Mouchel

Zones

Leyland Street, a road created during 1908 as part This use of joined tree pits meant that soil
of the town centre realignment required for the volumes could be reduced, but trees could share
new tram lines, was built on the site of ancient the available soil, and become more resilient than
tightly packed streets and yards. Designed for the standalone trees would.
more affluent skilled working class of the town,
and were an immediate success. This very successful tree planting scheme has
become established and will continue to bring the
The properties closest to the High Street were benefits to residents, workers and visitors to this
designed for commercial and retail use, but heritage site.
gradually the majority of the buildings became
converted from residential. The original plans
included street tree planting, which gave the
street a calm and pleasant atmosphere: an oasis
in the centre of the town. Unfortunately, the trees
grew too well! One hundred years later, these now
huge trees were causing massive problems with
pavement breakup, and actual damage to below
ground services and structures.

The closeness of buildings to the tree planting

was always going to be a difficult one to manage,
and after much consideration, the Prescot
Townscape Heritage Initiative project decided
in 2013 to remove the trees, replace them in
specially designed tree pits, and resurface road
and pavement. Partially funded by National
Lottery money, Knowsley Council were in
full support of this recognition of the historic
character of the road, and the need to recreate
the green backdrop for the town centre.
The complexity of the utility runs beneath the
paving meant that traditional solution of tree
pits beneath the pavement was unsuitable, and
the decision was made to plant the trees close
to the kerb edge, and direct all the rooting into
GreenBlue Urban soil cells beneath the highway;
joining tree rooting zones from the trees on the
opposite site of the road.

50
Structural Applications

51
 How to install RootSpace: A step-by step guide

1 2 3

Survey potential tree pit for below Excavate tree pit allowing 10% Lay drainage stone level and GRN20
ground constraints. additional dig for installation ease. mesh to base and sides.

4 5 6

Install RootSpace system and Backfill sides of tree pit with Type 1. Fill cells with soil, install lids,
underground guying. RootDirector, aeration, irrigation and
twin wall geonet.

7 8 9

Complete sub-base buildup over Plant tree. Install grille & complete paving.
RootSpace system, concrete haunch
+ tree grille frame.

10

ArborSystem Installation &

Maintenance Manual
bit.ly/ArborSystem-Manual

Install guard.

52
 Structural Applications

Case Study: Fletton Quays. Peterborough

Project type: Public Realm
Contractor Bowmer and Kirkland, Peterbor-
ough Investment Partnership
Landscape Architect: Harrison Stevens

53
54
 Hamilton Gardens, Project type: Streetscape
Contractor: SAP Landscapes

Cabra, Dublin Landscape Architect: Plus Architecture

PACKAGE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING GREENBLUE URBAN

PRODUCTS PER TREE:
NO
1. A
2. G
1 ROOTSPACE @ 400mm DEPTH (1 UNIT DEEP) C/W TWIN WALLED
GEONET & OPEN REINFORCING MESH - GBURS41A C

Structural Applications
U
2 ROOTSOIL 20 TOPSOIL FOR USE WITHIN TOP 600 OF SOIL PROFILE G
- ROOTSOIL20 M
3. G
3 ROOTSOIL SUB SUBSOIL FOR USE WITHIN SOIL PROFILES 600mm O
OR DEEPER - ROOTSOILSUBA
5000 *
This ambitious development project in Cabra, a
500 4 ROOTSTART PROFESSIONAL MYCORRHIZA FUNGI ALLOW 200g
B

PER TREE - RSPMF2.5LA

well-established suburb in the heart of Dublin, 5 ROOTRAIN ARBORVENT CAST ALUMINUM TRAFFICABLE AERATION
INLET WITH 150mm SQUARE TOP AND MANIFOLD - RRARBV150B
500

encompasses a total of 485 new homes and a 9

6 TWIN WALLED STRUCTURAL GEONET (INCLUDED IN ITEM 1 ) SEE
NOTE 1 - GLTWGNA

sprawling 25,000 square feet retail supermarket. 7 20mm OPEN REINFORCING MESH (INCLUDED IN ITEM 1 ) SEE
NOTE 1 - GRN20A
5

At its core, this development is designed to

12
8 ARBORGUY ANCHORPLATE STRAPPED ANCHOR SYSTEM -
SASAP06A
A A
GBU

GBU

3000
harmoniously coexist with a lush parkland that 9 ADUR DESIGN CAST DUCTILE TREE GRILLE 1200mm SQUARE WITH
600mm CENTRAL APERTURE WITH GALVANISED SUPPORT FRAME.
INCLUDING ROOTRAIN HYDROGRILLE IRRIGATION SYSTEM -

features new public and shared residential garden ADUR12A

E
10 MEDIUM ROOTDIRECTOR WITH ROOT DEFLECTING RIBS - 800mm

spaces. In a nod to the locality's rich heritage, CLEAR APERTURE FOR ROOTBALL - RD1000-RSA

11 10mm - 20mm CLEAN ANGULAR DRAINAGE AGGREGATE - GBUDRSA

these green spaces draw inspiration from the 1

12 ULLSWATER VERTICAL STEEL TREE GUARD 1800mm HIGH x 600mm
Ø, INCLUDING TREE GUARD TIE - ULLSSP6A

renowned local mathematician, Sir Rowan

B

13 ARBORMULCH BARK MULCH - GBUMULCHA

Hamilton, the brilliant mind behind quaternions NOTES:

PLAN VIEW A ALLOW 20% ADDITIONAL FOR GEOTEXTILE AND REINFORCED

and the author of Hamilton's Principle. GEOGRID FOR OVERLAP AND CUTTING REQUIREMENTS

B INSTALL ROOTSPACE SIDE PANELS TO INSTALLATION AS

DIRECTED BY ENGINEER

LY
C EXISTING GROUND

Spanning over half a kilometer in length, the D POSITIVE DRAINAGE PIPE (110mm PERFORATED PIPE)

site boasts a unique and slender layout, with its

N
E BUILD-UP TO SUIT ENGINEER DESIGNS AND REQUIREMENTS

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER'S NOTE:

eastern boundary adjacent to a section of railway.

O
F ADDITIONAL TWINWALL GEONET (GLTWGNA) TO BE INSTALLED
WHERE SUB-BASE IS INSTALLED BELOW 3% CBR - MINIMUM 2%

The grand entrance to this elongated property CBR OF FORMATION LEVEL TO BE ASSESSED BY ENGINEER

CE
is graced by a carefully planned avenue of trees, C

Rev.
SEP

Da
DRAWING

which not only adds a touch of natural elegance

N
12
but also serves a practical purpose. Beneath the
12
CLIENT

5 9

meticulously designed pavements, discreetly

E
9

E 2 6 1

nestled, is the RootSpace soil structure, ensuring

R
E 4 10 5 6 1
SCHEME T
1
1 7 6

ample soil volume for the thriving trees.

E
3105
13

980
305

75

400

E
Furthermore, a commitment to greenery F B
980
305

75

400
B
11
DRAWING

R
and sustainability is evident throughout the 200
200
B DRAWING

ALL D
D development. Around the public garden square
C 8 2 7
C D
3085
7 UNLES

R
1000 DRAWING
F 3 11

and within the residential landscapes, advanced F

SECTION B-B
11

DETAIL 1
SECTION A-A

O
tree planting techniques are employed. These

F
include the implementation of StrataCell and
ReRoot Root Management systems, guaranteeing © Copyr
not scaled
mechanic

the well-being and longevity of the flora while Products used These de

contributing to the overall environmental harmony

of this visionary project.

AnchorPlate ArborVent RootSpace

Underground Aeration Pavement Support
Guying Systems

55
 03
Urban Constraints

Case Study: Barrow In Furness, Maritime Streets

Project type: Public Realm
Contractor Ground Control Ltd
Landscape Architect: Farrer Huxley

56
Below Ground
Competition
Beneath our streets lie a labyrinth of
interconnected utilities, foundations and other
construction constraints. This is a feature of our
modern society, where we want everything hidden
out of sight and protected from damage. Many
of these constraints are not anticipated, as much
of the infrastructure below ground is not well
documented.
These below ground restrictions often inhibit the
GreenBlue Urban has worked with utility
companies, structural and civil engineers and local
authorities for over 30 years and has had numerous
successes in reaching an acceptable compromise
with all parties. The policy of root management
and root baiting to draw rooting away to preferred
zones and away from problematic areas has proven
valuable, and many of the statutory providers now
accept Green Blue Urban solutions as suitable in
urban zones.

inclusion of green infrastructure in our designs;
even in new developments, statutory utility
companies have the prior right to install their
services wherever they feel best, meaning that
even careful planning for trees in our streets can be
undone on site, leaving no space for root growth.
Urban Constraints
Early planning, site investigations and
collaboration with all stakeholders is imperative
for smooth integration of green, blue and grey
infrastructure.

Recommendations for utility installations, and

requirements for easy access to services later,
lead to restrictions on available sites for green
infrastructure. Historic root damage to clay and
cast-iron pipework has made utility providers
wary of future liabilities, and many insist on wide
easements to avoid future damage.

There is also competition for ground water. Trees

can absorb large volumes of water through their
vascular system, potentially drying the soil and
causing movement. With old services, this small
amount of heave can long term break pipework,
allowing root access.

57
 Lockerbie
High Street
PACKAGE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING GREENBLUE URBAN
PRODUCTS PER TREE:

1 STRATACELL @ 250mm DEPTH (1 UNITS DEEP) C/W TWIN WALLED

GEONET & OPEN REINFORCING MESH - GBUSC301A

2 ROOTSOIL 20 TOPSOIL FOR USE WITHIN TOP 600 OF SOIL PROFILE

- ROOTSOIL20

3 ROOTSTART PROFESSIONAL MYCORRHIZA FUNGI ALLOW 200g

B

PER TREE - RSPMF2.5LA

L ockerbie, a small town on the strategic main These trees are a good choice for the autumn 4 ROOTRAIN ARBORVENT CAST ALUMINUM TRAFFICABLE AERATION
INLET WITH 150mm SQUARE TOP AND MANIFOLD - RRARBV150B

routes between London and Glasgow, both colour as they are more reliable than the parent 5 TWIN WALLED STRUCTURAL GEONET (INCLUDED IN ITEM 1 ) SEE
NOTE 1 - GLTWGNA

road and rail, grew around the cross roads and 8

Canadian Maple and tolerate most soil conditions. 6 20mm OPEN REINFORCING MESH (INCLUDED IN ITEM 1 ) SEE
NOTE 1 - GRN20A

railway station in the centre of the town. History of The red leaf colour complements the natural 7 ARBORGUY ANCHORPLATE STRAPPED ANCHOR SYSTEM -
SASAP04A
4

the town goes back at least as far as the Vikings,

11
red local sandstone that has been used in 8 ADUR DESIGN CAST DUCTILE TREE GRILLE 1200mm SQUARE WITH
600mm CENTRAL APERTURE WITH GALVANISED SUPPORT FRAME.
A A INCLUDING ROOTRAIN HYDROGRILLE IRRIGATION SYSTEM -
GBU

GBU

and traces of nearby Roman camps indicate that construction of most of the town buildings. ADUR12A

9 MEDIUM ROOTDIRECTOR WITH ROOT DEFLECTING RIBS - 800mm

this area has been settled for a very long time. CLEAR APERTURE FOR ROOTBALL - RD1000-RSA

D
10 10mm - 20mm CLEAN ANGULAR DRAINAGE AGGREGATE - GBUDRSA

During the mid 18th Century, the town grew Numerous utility runs were discovered whilst 11 ULLSWATER VERTICAL STEEL TREE GUARD 1800mm HIGH x 600mm
Ø, INCLUDING TREE GUARD TIE - ULLSSP6A

as a semi-planned settlement, and it became a 1 installing the tree pits, and the flexibility of the 12 ARBORMULCH BARK MULCH - GBUMULCHA

significant staging post on the carriage route from GreenBlue Urban soil cell systems meant that NOTES:

A ALLOW 20% ADDITIONAL FOR GEOTEXTILE AND REINFORCED

Glasgow to London. these services could be easily accommodated. GEOGRID FOR OVERLAP AND CUTTING REQUIREMENTS
B

B EXISTING GROUND

The trees have grown extremely well over the past

LY
PLAN VIEW C POSITIVE DRAINAGE PIPE (110mm PERFORATED PIPE)

The London to Edinburgh Great North Road was 5 years and will be continuing to thrive for the D BUILD-UP TO SUIT ENGINEER DESIGNS AND REQUIREMENTS

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER'S NOTE:

the predominant route between London and enjoyment for all those who live, work and visit

N
E ADDITIONAL TWINWALL GEONET (GLTWGNA) TO BE INSTALLED
WHERE SUB-BASE IS INSTALLED BELOW 3% CBR - MINIMUM 2%

Scotland, at least until Thomas Telford constructed this Border town. CBR OF FORMATION LEVEL TO BE ASSESSED BY ENGINEER

O
his Carlisle to Glasgow highway during the

E
early 1800s. This opened up the western route,

C
and made way for the railway, which came to

N
Lockerbie in 1847. The railway made a huge

E
difference to the town, and increased the already
substantial trade in lambs, becoming the largest

R
11 11

4 8

lamb market in Scotland.

FE
8

D 3 9 4 5 1 D 2 5 1
1 7 6

E
Dumfries and Galloway council invested in 12
1
3109

R
the town centre during 2014/15, creating an
305 305

imaginative new space, with pedestrian safety

780 780

R
250 250
11

central to the plan. The new public area outside

200 200
B

O
1000 6

the Town Hall, with its notable clock tower,

B C 7 2 7 B C
10
E 4000

F
E 10

SECTION A-A SECTION B-B DETAIL 1

provides a pleasant piece of public realm,
encouraging people to spend time in the town
centre. Use of green infrastructure and tree
planting to create green networks is part of the
planning guidance, encouraging healthy exercise Products used
for residents.

As a nod to history, as part of the urban realm

renovation, models of sheep stand on the
pavement between the Maple [Acer x fremanii
Autumn Blaze] trees, reminding passers-by of the
history. AnchorPlate RootSafe StrataCell
Underground Root Management Pavement Support
Guying Systems

58
Urban Constraints

59
60
Urban Constraints

61
 Utilities & RootSpace Guide
bit.ly/RootSpace-Utilities

62
Working Around
Utilities
Our streets have been routes for our utilities for
centuries. Early drainage consisted of open sewers
in the centre of the streets, which were gradually
enclosed by the mid 1800’s. Piped water, then gas,
electricity and now myriad communications make
the below ground strata a veritable web of various
services – some live, some redundant and some
unidentified.
Urban tree planting has always had to compete
with these important services to our properties.
With the increase in technology particularly and
the subsequent requirements for better and
better communication networks, the available
space for tree planting is severely constrained in
most of our towns and cities.
The clue to successful tree planting in and
around these utility lines is collaboration and
understanding the risks to the utility provider.
Tress are not inherently damaging, but they are
exploitive of rooting volume, and tend to find the
easiest route to nutrient, water and air. When the
initial planting zone has become insufficient for
the tree health, the tree roots will explore further
areas in search of these items, and in doing so
can find small fissures or holes in service ducts
and drains. The fine fibrous roots will enter these
apertures, grow and finally block or break the
utility.
Urban Constraints
GreenBlue Urban always recommends a dual
approach, both advocating root management and
root baiting: discouraging tree rooting in areas
where there would be a potential conflict and
attracting roots to a safe area where adequate
uncompacted soil volume can be provided. The
RootSpace soil cell system can be threaded
around utilities, both providing for the tree
and actually encasing the utility, protecting
it from accidental damage. Many utilities are
root resistant, and most are of no interest for
tree roots as they do not provide any elements
that the tree requires: e.g., electricity, gas and
telecommunications.
Many utility companies have strict tree limitation
guidance and working with them in a collaborative
way usually overcomes these issues. Mainly
these guides relate to future liability, or to
the bad publicity caused by the removal of
green infrastructure due to utility maintenance
requirements. Intelligent planting and root
management can largely overcome these issues
and ensure that our cities remain healthy green
places for all to enjoy.
63
 Lansdowne
Public Realm
Bournemouth
The Lansdowne district in Bournemouth, has
undergone a remarkable transformation with
a £4 million investment aimed at realising
the council's long-term vision for the area. To
rejuvenate the Lansdowne area, making it more
attractive, accessible, and sustainable, the project
aimed to create a vibrant and welcoming urban
environment while improving the quality of life for
residents, workers, and visitors.
Holdenhurst Road was the chosen location for 5
urban trees whereby GreenBlue Urban supported
with their ArborSystem products. However, one of
the most significant challenges faced during the
project was the presence of underground services
running through the chosen area, potentially
restricting the available space available without
risk to the surrounding infrastructure.
The concern, as always is the need to access
and maintain utilities, which traditional tree
planting methods might have hindered access
or necessitated costly relocation of services. To
overcome these challenges and enable successful
tree planting, GreenBlue Urban’s RootSpace
structural soil solution was used. RootSpace is
an innovative urban tree planting system that
integrates a specially designed load-bearing
soil support to enable healthy tree growth while
protecting underground utilities. Designed to
provide adequate healthy, aerated soil and
minimise soil compaction, and with easy access
maintenance and repairs can be carried out
without causing harm to the planted trees.
As a leader in urban tree design and
implementation, GreenBlue Urban played a
pivotal role by providing innovative solutions
tailored to Lansdowne's specific needs.
Supporting with the installation, Chaffin Works
enabled the RootSpace 1000 (2 Cells Deep):
for healthy tree growth and longevity. The use
64
Project type:
Contractor
Public Realm
Chaffin Works
of RootRain Arborvents and Precincts provided
efficient aeration and irrigation, ensuring trees
received adequate moisture and nutrients, even
with limited rainfall. Dead man ArborGuy Guying
and Root Directors helped anchor tree roots and
prevent damage to surrounding infrastructure
while promoting healthy root development.
The planting of trees and green spaces has
significantly improved the visual appeal of
Lansdowne, creating a more inviting and attractive
urban environment.
The newly planted trees contribute to better air
quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing
oxygen, enhancing the overall health and well-
being of the community. Trees offer natural shade,
helping to mitigate the urban heat island effect
and creating a more comfortable climate for users.
Lansdowne has become more pedestrian-friendly,
with improved accessibility features providing
residents and visitors with welcoming green
spaces, promoting community engagement and
well-being, boosting local economic activity and
property values.
The Lansdowne public realm transformation,
supported by GreenBlue Urban's innovative urban
tree planting solutions, has successfully realised
the council's long-term vision for the area. This
£4 million investment has not only improved
the physical landscape but has also created a
more sustainable, appealing, and vibrant urban
environment. It serves as a testament to the
positive impact that strategic urban planning and
innovative urban tree management can have on a
community's quality of life and well-being.
Urban Constraints

65
 Kent County Council:
Trees and Utilities Study
Louise Butfoy BSc (Hons), Trees Outside Woodlands Project Officer - Kent County Council
The aim of the Trees and Utilities Study was
to understand the conflicts between trees and
utilities in England to allow more urban trees to
be retained and established. The study formed
part of the ongoing Trees Outside Woodland
programme that is developing innovative and
sustainable new ways to increase tree cover to
address both climate and ecological emergencies.
The programme is funded by HM Government as
part of the Shared Outcomes Fund and delivered
in partnership with The Tree Council, Natural
England, the Department for Environment, Food
& Rural Affairs and five Local Authorities.
This report aimed to:
– Bring together existing literature of how trees
and utilities interact.
– Understand the current working practices of
utility companies working around trees.
– Assess the effectiveness of current legislation
and guidance.
– Discuss a range of possible solutions and
present recommendations on implementation
of these.
The key findings of the report were as follows:
– Current utility industry legislation does
not contain provision to protect trees from
damage or removal.
– Current guidance on utilities and trees is
good, but without legislative backing is
sometimes ineffective.
– Lack of communication between different
departments within LAs and with external
organisations means tree officers are often
unaware of utility schemes that affect trees,
and a lack of resource in LAs restricts the
ability of tree officers to work proactively with
utility companies on local solutions.
– Conflicts above ground are easier to
66
overcome through good initial tree selection
and good arboriculture working practices,
while conflicts below ground are complex
and relate predominantly to the lack of
coordinated planning in the sub surface
space of urban areas.
– Retrofitting trees (or tree protective measures)
into urban areas is very costly, therefore trees
must be considered in the early design stages
of infrastructure projects.
– There are several upcoming projects that
aim to address elements identified here, and
further opportunities to engage in research
and trials. All of these are discussed in Further
Research and Trials.
To assess the effectiveness of current guidance
two surveys were commissioned, one aimed at
project stakeholders working with urban trees,
predominantly LA tree officers, and the other
aimed at utility companies. The questions used
were based on key themes identified in the
literature review and from initial interviews with
Local Authorities. The surveys aimed to gather
information on the awareness and usefulness of
a range of guidance documents and potential
solutions to overcome the barriers to urban tree
planting. The results suggested that current
guidance is good, and most utility companies
understand the issues, but the common use
of sub-contractors means work on the ground
does not always adhere to the guidance. Trees in
close proximity to utilities are seen as an added
complication to maintenance and renewal of
infrastructure, and when mitigating measures are
not taken during tree planting the tree roots have
the potential to damage underground utilities.
There are many examples across the country
and internationally of good working practices
and effective planning and communication that
can allow more urban trees to be retained and
established.
Based on the literature review and survey results
the following recommendations were made:

– Planning reform – Create a National

Underground Design Code to regulate and
make better use of sub surface space.
– More legal protections for trees – Put trees
on par with other street infrastructure so
that existing legislation will more effectively
protect existing trees.

Urban Constraints
– Transforming guidance into legislation –
Update the existing guidance in line with
recent advancements and evidence and
make it mandatory through legislative
changes.
– Explore payment for ecosystem services
(PES) as a funding mechanism for urban tree
establishment.

This guide was written in collaboration by Louise

Butfoy BSc (Hons), Kent County Council, and
Peter Stevens, AJS Flood Risk Consulting.

Download the report

greenblue.com/resources

67
 Accessing Utilities After
Tree Installation
The juxtaposition of below ground services and
tree rooting environments will always require
compromise to enable sustainable long-term
satisfactory outcomes for all stakeholders. Many
utility providers have become reluctant to allow
tree planting because of future potential liability
claims, leading to denuded streets.

With the GreenBlue Urban RootSpace system,

the utilities are actually protected by the high
capacity soil cells from accidental service strikes
by encasing them within the cell structure.

If utilities need to be accessed in the case of

an emergency, the contractor simply must
excavate to the top of the cell system, remove the
RootSpace lids (this does not require any tools)
then hand dig or vacuum excavate through the
rooting zone to access the service.
Vacuum excavation. Image: MTA Capital Construction

Because the rooting environment is optimum for

the tree, the rooting system will have a higher
proportion of fibrous roots, and less structural
roots. This means that if roots have to be pruned
to allow access to a utility, the tree will not be so
severely affected and will recover quicker.

In compacted soils, tree roots often follow services

through the ground, as these provide a route
to fresh rooting zones. If sufficient high-quality
uncompacted soil is initially supplied and kept
healthy, there is evidence that the tree does not
seek additional nutrient or water from elsewhere.
This root baiting design, coupled with effective
root management is proven to greatly reduce the
problem of utility and root conflict.

Tree pit excavation using air spading to prevent root damage.

68
A step-by step guide

1 2 3

Locate utilities. Saw cut and remove pavement Remove aggregate subbase to
surface / pavers in affected area. expose geocomposite.

4 5 6

Urban Constraints
Cut and remove geocomposite. Remove RootSpace® AirFlow™ Lid(s) Remove soil within the RootSpace®.
by pulling up or by excavating.

7 8 9

Repair utility. Replace planting soil. Replace AirFlow™ Lids.

10 11

ArborSystem Installation
& Maintenance Manual
Install geocomposite. Install pavement sub-base and bit.ly/ArborSystem-Manual
pavement surface.

69
 Footway
Constrictions Case Study:
Project type:
Fernside Avenue, Poole
Streetscape, Residential

T he Borough of Poole was an early adopter of

soil cells beneath hard surfacing. Enlightened
borough council officers were quick to take on
board the essential requirements for long term
healthy tree canopy and used the GreenBlue
Urban RootCell system in this suburban street.
Using highway build-outs to assist with traffic
calming measures and providing the additional
uncompacted rooting zone beneath the adjoining
pavement has been proved an outstanding
success, ensuring that the Avenue lasts for many
generations of residents.
and the tree roots were carefully directed using
ReRoot barrier away from these potential issues
and into the RootCells, allowing root penetration
into optimum soil conditions.
There have been no reported utility issues,
proving yet again that correct design and best
practice tree planting can co-exist with the
requirements of both motorists and pedestrians.
Another success story for GreenBlue Urban, and
all those who live, work and play in Fernside.
Avenue.

Fernside Avenue is a residential street, consisting

largely of semi-detached properties, constructed
during the 1970s. Formerly farm land, this area
was not developed until later than most of the
nearby Parkstone, and was part of the local
authority strategic house building plans. Much of
the town is of Victorian and Edwardian housing
stock, and Poole is well known for its street trees;
no more than a few minutes’ walk away is Poole
Park where the trees are notable for their age and
size.

During the early part of this millennium, the local

authority decided that planting new trees in full
GreenBlue Urban ArborSystems in conjunction
with highway alterations would revitalise the
Products used
public realm. A range of different tree species
were planted, and over the past 15 years, these
trees have become the main focal point of this
road, bringing the multiple benefits that only
mature healthy trees can.

As with nearly all urban planting, below ground

services were present below the hard paving, Tree Ties ReRoot Ribbed RootCell
Tree Support Root Management Pavement Support
Systems

70
2005 2010 2017

Urban Constraints
2018

71
 04
Policies & Planning

Case Study: Stockton City Centre

Project type: Public realm, transport

72
Introduction
In 2023, the UK government unveiled an ambitious
Environmental Improvement Plan, which reflects
a shared commitment to fostering healthy,
sustainable environments and enhancing the
quality of urban life. GreenBlue Urban, commends
these efforts and recognises the critical role of
nature and green infrastructure in achieving these
goals.
Green Infrastructure and Nature:
GreenBlue Urban celebrates the government's
emphasis on expanding green spaces within urban
environments. These green oases not only provide
respite from the hustle and bustle of city life but
also serve as havens for biodiversity, fostering a
stronger connection between nature and people.
The plan's initiatives to support native species
and protect natural habitats align perfectly with
GreenBlue Urban's vision. A biodiverse urban
landscape promotes healthier ecosystems, cleaner
air, and a higher quality of life for residents.
Healthy Environments and Air Quality:
The commitment to sustainable transportation
options is a step in the right direction. GreenBlue
Urban recognises that reducing traffic congestion
and promoting active transportation, such as
cycling and walking, contribute to improved air
quality and healthier urban communities.
The plan's efforts to monitor and mitigate air
pollution align with GreenBlue Urban's dedication
to creating green infrastructure solutions that
filter pollutants, reduce heat islands, and enhance
overall air quality in urban areas.
The UK Environmental Improvement Plan 2023
sets a promising path toward healthier, more
sustainable urban environments. GreenBlue Urban
acknowledges the plan's commitment to nature,
green infrastructure, and air quality improvements
and looks forward to actively contributing to the
transformation of UK cities into greener, more
liveable spaces for all. Together, we can build a
future where nature thrives, and urban residents
enjoy healthier, happier lives.
The UK government Green Financing Programme
supports local authorities in accessing green
finance options to fund environmentally
sustainable projects, such as renewable energy
installations, energy-efficient housing, and
sustainable transportation systems. Also, to
encourage investment in nature based solutions
to include green and blue infrastructure to create
Policies & Planning
healthier and more sustainable communities for all.
In January 2023 a £30 million government
innovative project to decarbonise UK highways
was announced. Funding for 7 local highways
authorities to develop and use new technologies
to reduce emissions, improve regional connectivity
and move to net-zero local roads.
The recent Levelling Up Fund also aims to support
local authorities in delivering infrastructure projects
that promote economic growth and environmental
sustainability. This includes investments in green
infrastructure such as parks, cycling lanes to
increase active travel, and public green spaces
73
 Policy & Legislation

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF):

The NPPF is a key document that sets out the gov-
ernment's planning policies for England. It includes
policies related to green infrastructure, sustainable
development, and biodiversity conservation. The
NPPF encourages the incorporation of green and blue
infrastructure into development plans and the design
of new developments to enhance the quality of life
and the environment.

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG):

Biodiversity Net Gain is a government policy that
requires developers to ensure a net increase in
biodiversity because of development projects. It is
aimed at achieving a 10% net gain in biodiversity
through the incorporation of green and blue
infrastructure elements in development plans.

Schedule 3 – Flood & Water Management Act

2010
Schedule 3 provides a framework for the approval
and adoption of drainage systems, a sustainable
drainage system approving body within unitary
and county councils, and national standards on the
design, construction, operation, and maintenance of
sustainable drainage systems for the lifetime of the
development.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Regulations:
EIA regulations require developers to assess and
mitigate the potential environmental impacts
of certain development projects. This includes
considering the impact on green and blue
infrastructure, such as parks, water bodies, and natural
habitats.

74
The Green Infrastructure Framework
A major new tool to help towns and cities turn greener
has been launched to by Natural England. Aimed at
planners and developers, the Green Infrastructure
Framework will help increase the amount of green
cover to 40% in urban residential areas

Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs):

TPOs are legal orders made by local planning
authorities to protect specific trees or woodlands.
They can impact the design and development of
green infrastructure by safeguarding valuable trees
and wooded areas.

Policies & Planning

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981:
This legislation protects wildlife and natural habitats
in the UK. It includes provisions related to the
conservation of biodiversity, which is closely linked
to the creation and maintenance of green and blue
infrastructure.

Local Plans:
Local authorities develop their own Local Plans, which
outline how they intend to use land and resources in
their jurisdictions. These plans often include policies
and guidelines for the incorporation of green and blue
infrastructure into local development.

75
 Incorporating Nature Based Solutions
to Combat Climate Change
GreenBlue Urban are fully aware of the constraints and perceived costs of green blue infrastructure in highways
and new developments – with a lack of guidance on adoption, maintenance, underground utilities, concerns
for building foundations along with the additional mix of sustainable urban drainage it is imperative planning
authorities are familiar with best practice and department collaboration from the very start.

Responding to the climate challenge should be the prevailing objective of a local development plan and this
objective should be embedded in all its policy requirements.

Climate Change Strategy

Given the principal need for the planning
system to support the government’s 2050
net-zero agenda, it is critical that each lo-
cal authority fully embeds climate change
adaption and mitigation measures into
their overall strategy.

Choice of Development
All new developments must take the full
range of adaption measures into account,
good site selection is key, assessment of
suitable sites, including type of building
and its use.

Community Engagement
It is imperative that communities are at the
heart of local policy deliberation, so that
local knowledge can be taken account of
and can help in shaping decision making.

Cross Collaboration
Stakeholder engagement will help sup-
port timely and well-informed decisions.
Including working across local authority
departments, utilities and environment
departments.

76
 Evidence Base
Viability plans and cost benefit analysis
should be communicated early in the
planning process including any potential
long-term costs such as maintenance.

Design Codes
Ensure design codes are in line with
national policy guidance. Recent addi-
tions relate to mitigation and adaption of
climate change.

Supplementary Planning Guidance

A dedicated document on how a devel-
opment should deliver the local plan,
policies within to be dedicated to aspects
of climate change and the measures to be
used.

Pre-Planning Application
It is imperative that communities are at the
heart of local policy deliberation, so that
local knowledge can be taken account of
and can help in shaping decision making.

Policies & Planning

Enforcement
Local Councils have a range of planning
powers that include enforcement, failing
to comply with any condition or limitation
subject to which planning permission has
been granted.
Maintenance
Local plans of any new development
should state the construction and mainte-
nance programme, including adoption and
responsibility.

Finally
If we are to ensure a healthy, social,
economic well-being for all, addressing
climate change as part of our on-going
corporate, local and national strategies is
a must. We must act now not just for the
short term but for our future generations!

77
 Highways, Adoption
and Maintenance
Hen Abbott - Gloucestershire County Council
Street tree considerations at early planning
application stage:
N.B. the ‘highway’ can include the carriageway,
footway, cycleway and verge.
Access
Will existing trees need to be removed to
facilitate the access? This could include directly
for the access installation or indirectly to achieve
inter-visibility or installation of new underground
services or streetlights. If so consider:
– Are there any Tree Preservation Orders (TPO)?
– Is this a Roadside Nature Reserve or
Conservation Verge?
– Are there any other ecological constraints?
– Do you have the Highway Authority’s consent
to remove the tree/s?
– You may have to pay compensation for
a removed highway tree - some highway
authorities use a CAVAT tool or similar to
assess the financial cost of loosing the tree.
– You may be required to replace the tree on
highway elsewhere for which an commuted
sum may be levied.
Within the site layout
Are you proposing trees adjacent or within
the highway to be offered for adoption? If so
consider:
78
Space
– Consider extent and direction of mature
root growth alongside the foundation of the
carriageway and footway.
– Make sure there is enough room for the
roots to grow and get air and water without
damaging the highway infrastructure,
such as root heave and cracking from soil
desecration.
– Make sure there is enough room for the
tree to grow without damaging the highway
infrastructure, such as road signs and
streetlights; consider the mature height and
width.
– Ensure the protection of underground
services and foundation of the footway and
carriageway.
– Carefully consider the right planting method
and growing medium for the trees.
– Can you integrate the trees with SuDS
features?
– Consider the aspect – make sure the trees
won’t cause damp mossy or icy spots on
the highway or will grow to block light from
dwellings but will provide shade for highway
users.
– Can trees be clustered rather than always
linear? Or a variety of both?
– Provide scaled drawings and details of the
actual planting method.
– Show mature growth and spread of the trees
on the layout drawings rather than indicative
circles.
Species
– Are they suitable for the space?
– Is there sufficient species variety for resilience
from future pests or disease?
– Are there enough supplies in UK nurseries?
– Will you need to import from abroad?
Consider the carbon cost of transport and
potential to import non-native pests and
diseases.
– Avoid prickly species and those with sticky
sap near footways, cycleways and parking Medium term – 5 to 8 years (often a mix of
spaces. responsibility of the developer and Highway
– Consider issues such as fruit drop may Authority)
attract wasps; flowers may cause hay-fever or
other allergies, leaf or petal drop may cause – Water in very dry spells
slippery footways and cycleways. – Remove stakes and guards
– Consider the resistance to road salt if located – Pruning or cutting back from the highway
on primary route. infrastructure.
– Ensure that a detailed maintenance history
will be passed over to the Highway Authority.

Policies & Planning

Maintenance
Short term – the first 5 years. Planting to
establishment (normally the responsibility of the Long term – 8 years plus (normally the
developer): responsibility of the Highway Authority)
Consider mature growth, pruning and root
– Water. pruning.
– Food.
– Stakes and guards. – Consider the road safety implications of
– Monitoring. mature tree maintenance. Working at height?
– Replacement of dead trees. Road or lane closures?
– Ensure an approved maintenance regime
and plant passports will be handed to the
Highway Authority.
– Ensure a detailed maintenance history will be
passed over to the Highway Authority.
– Have you agreed and paid a commuted sum?
– Will you need to provide an arboricultural
assessment before adoption?
79
80
Regeneration of
Taunton Station
Forecourt
Taunton Station, situated in the heart of Taunton,
Somerset, has long been a vital transportation
hub connecting the town with other regions.
However, over time, the station's forecourt had
deteriorated, impacting its functionality and
aesthetic appeal. In response to these challenges,
a comprehensive regeneration project was
initiated, driven by key stakeholders including
Project Taunton, Network Rail, Taunton Deane
Borough Council, Somerset County Council,
and First Great Western. The master planning
for this ambitious project was entrusted to LHC
architecture and Buro Happold, with a strong
focus on consultation with various stakeholders.
The regeneration of Taunton Station Forecourt
was a critical component of the broader effort to
revitalise the town and create a more inviting and
attractive environment for residents, commuters,
and investors. The project aimed to enhance the
station's accessibility, appearance, and overall
appeal as part of the Firepool and East Yard
regeneration areas.
The Gateways plans (station forecourts) provided
an element of high-quality public realm which
incorporated shared space with quality paving,
seating and enhanced signage, along with
extensive landscaping efforts to beautify the
forecourt area, making it more visually appealing
and functional.
GreenBlue Urban were pleased to support
with urban tree planting: Five urban trees were
strategically planted within the forecourt area,
using the RootSpace load-bearing soil support
systems, to avoid compaction in a heavily
trafficked environment, supporting soil and
tree health with aeration using GreenBlues’
renowned Arborvents, stability for the trees below
ground using ArborGuy anchoring, and above
ground with Zeta Grilles, a unique tree grille that
Project type: Transport
Landscape Architect:
Contractor:
LHC Architecture, Buro Happold
Hooper Services
boasts a completely invisible structure allowing
interruption-free paving right up to the tree pit.
Being executed meticulously, adhering to the
masterplan created by LHC architecture and
Buro Happold. GreenBlue Urban played a pivotal
role by supporting the upgrading of the station
forecourt with their expertise in urban tree
planning and implementation. Hooper Services
collaborated closely to ensure the successful
installation of the ArborSystem tree planting
products.
The regeneration of Taunton Station Forecourt
has had a profound impact on the town and its
surrounding areas. With enhanced aesthetics
the station has significantly improved its visual
appeal, creating a more attractive and welcoming
environment for commuters and visitors.
Policies & Planning
The project has also enhanced accessibility to the
station, making it more convenient for passengers
and improving the overall transportation
experience which has boosted the town's image,
attracting investment and making it a more
appealing place to live and work.
Finally, the project has generated positive
feedback from the community, reflecting the
successful collaboration between stakeholders
and their commitment to Taunton's development.
The enhancement has not only improved the
station's functionality and aesthetics but has
also contributed to the broader revitalisation of
Taunton, creating a more prosperous and vibrant
town for residents, commuters, and investors
alike.
81
 The Green Streets Project :
White Rose Community Forest
Prof. Dr. Alan Simson, Emeritus Professor of Landscape Architecture + Urban Forestry
Trees are life. They contain life, they protect life,
and they improve life – economically, culturally
and of course environmentally. Whether we’re in
the presence of them or indirectly benefitting from
them, we humans have a lot to gain when it comes
to trees. We have a lot to lose too. With most
of us now living in towns and cities, it would be
easy to assume a dangerous disconnect between
people and the trees that support their very
existence. Scratch the surface of any community in
the White Rose Forest domain however and you’ll
find that this is not the case.
One of the key projects of the White Rose Forest
that engages with its wide range of communities
is the Green Streets Project. The project aims
to use evidence-based and targeted green
infrastructure and urban forestry interventions in
collaboration with the Local Authority Transport
Plans, interventions that connect communities to
development sites and town centres, and in so
doing to deliver significant additional economic
and social benefits. These benefits include an
increase in inward investment, reduced flood
risk, reduced energy costs, improved community
health and well being and reduced carbon
emissions.
The Green Streets Project is about delivering
high-quality, well-designed greening projects,
bespoke to the area they are being delivered
in and contributing to the biodiversity of the
area. Street trees are the main component of the
urban forest - the “right tree, planted in the right
place, in the right way” – to ensure that the many
positive impacts of such trees will be maximised,
be long-lasting and have lower life costs. Other
aspects of Green Streets include Rain Gardens,
Green Roofs and Walls, Urban Orchards, Natural
Habitats and Green Ways, the latter defined as
non-motorised cycling and walking routes used to
82
promote access to employment areas along with
greening projects to promote behavioural change
and modal shift.
Some of the key features of the White Rose
Community Forest’s Green Streets Project are:
• Engagement – during the design phase,
all affected households and businesses are
engaged directly to secure long-term buy in
from the local communities;
• Community Skills and Apprenticeships – the
delivery and management of the urban
forestry/green infrastructure projects offers
the communities to be involved in skills
training and apprenticeship opportunities;
• Evidence and targeting – through partnership
collaboration, geographical Information
Systems are used to help target where and
what type of cost-effective greening project
should be delivered.
The White Rose Community Forest’s Green Streets
project is about innovation and opportunity,
delivering bespoke projects to meet individual
circumstances and finding unique solutions to
delivering green infrastructure/urban forestry
in sometimes difficult circumstances. Green
Streets can also be used to incorporate art and
interpretation to create a distinct sense of place
and educate the public about the importance of
urban forestry and green infrastructure.
"
Right tree, planted in the
right place, in the right
way”

Policies & Planning

83
 05
Stormwater Management

Case Study: Kenmont Gardens, London

Project type: Raingarden, SuDS
Contractor FM Conway
Landscape Architect: Project Centre

84
The Principles
of SuDS
With much of our streetscape now impervious,
our existing drainage systems are becoming
overloaded in storm events. It is obvious that
without a major storm drain replacement program,
we must learn how to deal with our surface water
more effectively, both in terms of quality and
quantity.
attenuation basins and other methods often makes
the scheme impossible. Working with top soil
scientists, universities and horticultural experts,
GreenBlue Urban has perfected the use of trees in
ArborSystem tree pits as meeting all the drainage
criteria required and allowing trees to grow to
healthy maturity.

Stormwater events often carry with the water,
pollutants, which create a problem due to their low
dilutions when “first flush” surges are experienced.
Various proprietary systems are available to help
separate these pollutants, but finally they will need
to be cleared from the sumps and disposed of as
hazardous waste.
The ArborFlow SuDS system is specially designed
to retro-fit into most streetscapes and often
replaces standard gully pot systems, and controls
storm water at source. The tree element energises
the soil to help deal with hydro-carbons and other
waterborne pollutants and provides biodiversity
net gain allowances for new build projects.

Sustainable urban drainage systems have long
been used to carry out four functions, as outlined
in the CIRIA Guide to SuDS, as below:
Using nature to attenuate (slow) and cleanse
surface water is a well proven science, but in our
constricted and heavily used city environments, the
space needed for SuDS features such as swales,
Using trees to manage stormwater is a sensible
and cost-effective option for local authorities
seeking to provide sustainable answers for our
towns and cities of the future. It is vital that the
necessary infrastructure below ground is installed
to allow for long term healthy trees, giving added
efficiency as the tree grows – the larger the tree the
greater the canopy interception and the ground
water draw.

Site assessment and suitability for SuDS

implementation are essential to ensure that the
chosen drainage strategies align with the site's
ter Quality
Wa characteristics, environmental considerations, and
flood risk management needs.
y
tit

Bi
an

od

SuDS
Water Qu

iv

The Four
ersity

Water resource management goals should align

Pillars of with regulatory requirements and ensure climate
SuDS change resilience.
A

m
en
ity
Design options for managing surface water
runoff, include permeable pavements, tree pits,
raingardens, swales, ponds, and basins. The
types of benefits will vary depending on the site,
however broadly fit into four categories: Water
quantity, water quality, amenity, and biodiversity.

85
 Design
Interventions
Urban Tree Pits
Tree pits are a popular and effective SuDS
intervention, especially in urban areas where
space may be limited. They combine the benefits
of stormwater management, water quality
improvement, urban cooling, and ecological
enhancement, making them a valuable addition to
sustainable drainage strategies.

The main components of a tree pit typically

include:

The tree itself is a crucial part of the SuDS

intervention. Trees help to absorb water through
their roots, promote evapotranspiration (the
process by which water is transferred from plants
to the atmosphere), and provide shading benefits.

Planting Area: The planting area surrounding

the tree is designed to capture and manage
stormwater runoff. It is constructed with below
ground area for water storage, often known as
soil cells or crate systems. A permeable paved
grille and porous specialist soil allowing water
to infiltrate and be stored in the root zone of the
tree.

Inlet and Outlet: Tree pits will include an

inlet to direct stormwater runoff towards the
planting area. This can be a surface opening or a
subsurface drain. In some cases, tree pits may also
have an overflow outlet to prevent excessive water
accumulation during heavy rainfall events.

Specialist multi-functional SuDS tree pits

combine stormwater capture and storage, road
pollution; silt/debris, with adequate soil volume
and load-bearing support, root control aeration
and tree irrigation.

86
Rain Gardens
A raingarden is a shallow, planted depression
designed to capture, infiltrate, and treat rainwater
from impervious surfaces such as roofs, driveways,
and roads.
Rain gardens are designed to be both functional
and aesthetically pleasing, providing multiple
benefits for stormwater management, water
quality improvement, groundwater recharge,
erosion control, and habitat creation. They
are an effective and sustainable approach to
managing rainwater runoff in both residential and
commercial settings.
Designing a raingarden involves:
Site Selection and Assessment: Choose a
suitable location for the rain garden. Look for
areas with natural slopes or depressions where
water tends to accumulate during rainfall.
Plants Selection: Choose native plants that
are well-adapted to the local climate and
soil conditions. Native plants require less
maintenance and are more effective in stormwater
management.
Select a variety of plant species with different root
depths and shapes to enhance water infiltration
and pollutant removal.
Maintenance: Regularly water the plants during
the establishment period. Remove weeds to
prevent competition with the native plants. Prune
and maintain the plants as needed.
Monitor the rain garden's performance and
address any issues with proper drainage or excess
water accumulation.

Assess the soil type and drainage conditions

of the chosen site. Soil with good infiltration
capacity is essential for the rain garden to function
properly.

Size and Shape Determination: Calculate the

size of the rain garden based on the contributing
impervious area (e.g., rooftops, driveways) and the
local rainfall patterns.

Determine the shape of the rain garden,

considering factors like aesthetics, existing
landscaping, and the capacity to hold the desired
amount of runoff. Expert support is recommended
to assess site and type of raingarden required, be
it modular for excessive water storage, flexible for
gradual attenuation, whether additional overflow
SuDS

chambers, and inspection/maintenance channels

are required.

Infiltration Testing and Soil Preparation:

Conduct infiltration tests to determine the soil's
permeability and its ability to absorb water. This
helps assess whether the site is suitable for a rain
garden.

Amend the soil if necessary to improve its

infiltration capacity. Adding compost can enhance
the soil's organic content and improve drainage.

87
 Trees &
Stormwater
Management
Trees properly placed around
buildings as windbreaks can save
up to 25% on winter heating
costs. 1

Increased canopy cover helps

mitigate air pollution, with street
trees reducing particulate matter
concentration by 15-20%. 2

People are willing to pay 9% to

12% more for goods and services
in a shopping area with large,
well-cared for trees.3

Potential attenuation space

within specialist soil can store
15%-40% water by soil volume
without effecting tree health.9
Individual tree canopies can
intercept as much as 79% of
a 20mm, 24-hour rainfall
event under optimum, full leaf
conditions.4

88
 ArborFlow SuDS/LID can filter as Healthy urban trees are capable
much as 95% of pollutants, such of holding huge amounts of
as microplastics, hydrocarbons, water – up to 60% of the first hour
metals etc from stormwater of a rain event – on its canopy
runoff.7 and branch structure.

Pollution removal values per

unit of canopy cover in eight UK
urban areas were estimated at
between 5.1 to 12.2g/m²/year
(median 9.6 g/m2 /year).5

A correctly calculated
ArborFlow system deals with
the first flush pollutants for
every rain event, leaving
exceedance flow suitable
for direct discharge to
watercourses
SuDS

For every 10% increase in

urban tree canopy, carbon
sequestration is increased.8

Evapotranspiration – trees
‘breathe’ water and have been
1 Energy-Efficient Landscaping, energy.gov

measured up to 340 litres per 2 (2015) Residential Developments and Trees

day, cleaning & cooling the air. 6

3 (2007) Arborist News, City Trees and Property Values

4 (2013) The effect of street trees and amenity grass on urban surface water runoff in Manchester, UK. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 12, 282-286

5 (2017) The benefits to people of trees outside woods (TOWs). Report for the Woodland Trust. Natural Capital Solutions

6 (2018) Applied Tree Biology, Andrew D. Hirons, Peter A. Thomas

7 (1994) Bioretention as a Water Quality Best Management Practice. Vol. 1, Bitter, S., and J. Keith Bowers

7 (1998) Optimization of Bioretention Design for Water Quality and Hydrologic Characteristics, Davis, A.P., Shokouhian, M., Sharma, H., and Minani, C.

8 (2014) Rate of tree carbon accumulation increases continuiously with tree size.

9 (2010) PO 12.1-3 Field Capacity, Permanent Wilting Point & Available Water Capacity, Competency Area 2: Soil hydrology AEM, cornell.edu

10 (2021) Urban Tree Rainfall Interception Measurement and Modeling in WinSLAMM, the Source Loading Management Model, R. Bean, Robert E. Pitt, J. Voorhees and M. Elliott

89
 North Street, Keighley
In the historic town of Keighley, nestled in the
South Pennines of Yorkshire, North Street remains
one of the few enduring vestiges of its past. With
a rich history linked to textile mills powered by
the confluence of two rivers, Keighley has seen
its population grow tenfold over the past two
centuries, leading to increased traffic congestion.
To address this issue, the local council embarked
on a project to redesign the road network in the
town centre.
The project involved demolishing the old Keighley
College building along North Street to create
additional traffic lanes and a public green space.
However, this meant removing existing street
trees, which were replaced with new trees planted
in large soil volume tree pits supported by the
GreenBlue Urban RootSpace soil cell systems.
To maximise the benefits of the new tree planting,
the tree pits were designed to serve as stormwater
attenuation and treatment pits. This innovative
approach involved capturing water from the
carriageway, filtering it through a stone layer atop
the tree pits, and allowing it to infiltrate through
the Arborsoil Hydro soil mix, ultimately reaching
the sub-soil. This method effectively removed
pollutants and slowed down water flow, helping
the existing drainage system manage storm
events.
The calculations indicated that the tree pits could
sustain peak rainfall for up to three and a half
hours during a 1 in 30-year storm surge event,
making them an effective solution for managing
stormwater runoff. Collaborating with the City of
Bradford Metropolitan District Council and SIG
Geotechnical Ltd, the project combined irrigation,
root management, mesh, geonet, and specifically
blended ArborSoil Hydro, tailored for Sustainable
Drainage Systems (SuDS) tree pits.
Over the course of the first two years, the trees
showed remarkable growth, a testament to the
benefits of uncompacted soil and good porous
surfacing, enabling optimal gaseous exchange
and nutrient replenishment.
90
In 2020, an independent arborist conducted
sap flow analysis, measuring the trees' ability
to transport water to the canopy. The results
indicated that the trees were thriving, with high
levels of moisture uptake, promising healthy,
steady growth.
The North Street project exemplifies how
imaginative tree planting can yield multiple
benefits without significant costs, with the added
advantage of continued benefits over the years
as the trees mature and become more efficient in
managing stormwater.
Recognising the need for more data on the
pollutant removal capabilities of SuDS features,
GreenBlue Urban partnered with Manchester
Metropolitan University to conduct soil tests on
the tree pits. The results, expected by the end of
2023, will shed light on the effectiveness of soil
remediation in the context of SuDS. Five years
after planting, the soil biology will have stabilised,
and measurements will assess the quantity and
quality of biological and fungal elements, as
well as the presence of microplastics in the soil
profiles.
Andrew Mindham of Bradford Met Council
shared his insights on the North Street
Project, highlighting its significance as one
of the authority's pioneering SuDS schemes.
Collaborating closely with GreenBlue Urban, the
project delivered a robust tree street planting
initiative that not only reduced surface water
pressure on the drainage system but also
improved the quality of the streetscape. By
alleviating flood risk and enhancing water quality
in the catchment area, the project played a crucial
role in building a more resilient district prepared
for the challenges of climate change."
The ongoing monitoring conducted by GreenBlue
Urban has revealed that the trees continue to
thrive and grow healthily. This success story
demonstrates that the tree pits are not just
surviving but flourishing as intended, marking a
crucial milestone in the council's mission to create
a climate-resilient district.
"
Collaborating closely with GreenBlue Urban, the
project delivered a robust tree street planting
SuDS

initiative that not only reduced surface water

pressure on the drainage system but also improved
the quality of the streetscape. By alleviating flood
risk and enhancing water quality in the catchment
area, the project played a crucial role in building a
more resilient district prepared for the challenges
of climate change."

91
92
Wood Street,
Cardiff
Cardiff, the capital of the Principality of Wales
has been settled by man for thousands of years;
long before the Romans came to Britain, men
were living in the coastal plan south of the Valleys,
utilising the plentiful fresh water from the hills and
the Bristol Channel.
Cardiff remained a small settlement right through
until the 1800’s, when its’ numbers exploded.
Between 1801 and 1851 the population grew
almost ten-fold, making it an important hub
in South Wales. Its’ importance as a port grew
too, By the beginning of World War I, the docks
exported 10.7 million tons of coal, and the
population had ballooned by almost ten times
again, to include 182,000 people.
This enormous growth put pressure on the city
and its infrastructure. Located on the River Taff,
the city has a history of flooding, even since the
course of the river was altered in 1853 to help
reduce these events. Equipped with a combined
sewer system, with the waste water treatment
plant at Barry 8 miles away, the city prospered and
expanded.
In the centre of the city, land owned by Colonel
Wood was developed and became known as
Temperance Town, as there were no public houses
allowed in it. This area in between the High Street
and the main railway station offered a home to the
many workers in the city, including dockers and
railway workers. Wood Street (as the main road
through the Town was named) became a main
thoroughfare, particularly once the Wood Street
bridge had been constructed over the River Taff
in 1873, and a music hall – later a Congregational
Church – was built on Wood Street in 1864.
The whole area was badly affected by aerial
bombing in the Second World War, and post-war
reconstruction was becoming incompatible with
the current needs of the city, so in the early part
Project type: Highway, Streetscape
Contractor: Knight Brown
Landscape Architect: ARUP
of this century a new radical plan was agreed on
to open out the station square and make the city
a more pedestrian friendly place. This involved
new public buildings, the new BBC Wales HQ
and other high quality developments, and with
the implementation of Schedule 3 of the Flood
and Water Management Act in 2019, included
sustainable drainage in the urban realm .It also
was designed to allow for easier movement by
both pedestrians and cyclists – dedicated cycle
lanes separated from vehicles by planted areas.
The Wood Street regeneration and SuDS scheme
was a complex and innovative proposal, led by
the Highways department of Cardiff City Council.
Following on from the highly successful award
winning “Greener Grangetown scheme, it was
designed to help with surface water attenuation,
removing water from the sewers via treepits and
rain gardens, but also to help reduce summer
”Heat Island” temperatures through shade
and evapotranspiration. Over 20 trees were
planted in the GreenBlue Urban ArborFlow SuDs
solution, with RootSpace soil support cells, Root
Management and Irrigation products, and the
specially designed soil, ArborSoil HydroMax.
This manufactured soil is designed to be used
in treepits and rain gardens to maximise the
pollutant removal, encourage healthy tree and
plant growth and deal with large volumes of water
in extreme rain events.
Working with designers ARUP, Cardiff City Council
SuDS
and installers Knight Brown the installation has
been hugely successful. The new public realm
is used by thousands of people daily, opening
up new areas for hospitality and recreation, and
giving residents of and visitors to Cardiff some
security against surface water flooding. GreenBlue
Urban are proud to have been involved in this
truly multi-benefit scheme, creating healthy urban
spaces in harmony with nature.
93
 Pioneering SuDS at
Greener Grangetown
Ian Titherington, Senior Adviser - Sustainable Drainage

Across the globe, many cities rely upon sewer
systems that combine both foul sewage and
rainfall, often within densely populated areas.
As climate change influences rainfall intensity,
developments add to sewer flows and the cost of
treating and pumping sewage escalates, finding
sustainable ways of removing flow from these often
overloaded sewers is becoming a higher priority.
Equally, the public sector is under pressure to
deliver ‘multi-benefit’ schemes, making better use
of recourses to deliver ‘more for less’.
Greener Grangetown was dreamt up about 10
years ago, in order to remove rainfall from the
combined sewer network of Cardiff. With the
input of project partners from the public & private
sector, a simple water interception idea turned
into an award winning inner city retrofit sustainable
drainage scheme – delivering multi-benefits to an
inner city community of 12 terraced streets & over
500 properties. On the surface, the completed
scheme looks like a street renewal project, with lots
of new trees, pretty flowers and enhanced cycling
facilities. Yet most of the over 100 rain gardens are
highly engineered filter systems, encapsulating,
filtering, evaporating and eventually draining over
40,000sq metres of hard surface run-off to the
nearby River Taf.
from the start with our Council Tree Officers, the
landscape experts from the Arup design team
and GreenBlue Urban – planting 130 new street
trees (of 4 to 7 metres in height). We sourced
from the UK 19 different species, including various
deciduous trees found in the Welsh environment,
some species with shallow root-balls to ensure all
streets had trees (often with significant shallow
services), and even a community fruit tree orchard.
A very significant element of the project was to
involve the local community every step of the
way, including the street layouts and options for
tree species, where viable. By offering choice,
we managed to gain a sense of ownership from
the local community; something we felt was very
important in such a densely populated area. Also,
by engineering around over 100 existing mature
trees, we added to and did not replace the tree
canopy.

Every detail of each rain garden is specific,

including the soil specification, inlet and outlet
levels, the choice of plants, the surface area and
significantly, the choice and location of street trees.
There is often a resistance from Council Highways
departments towards significant additions of street
trees, predominately due to the experiences of
managing the maintenance of heavy canopies,
roots damage/trip hazards and numerous other
issues. With Greener Grangetown, we worked

94
SuDS

95
 19700

OVERFLOW FROM RAIN GARDEN

EXISTING FO
TYPE D TO BE 300mm GAP IN KERB
CREATED BY CUTTING KERB DOWN
TO REQUIRED LEVEL (SOP A). APPROX 32 CELLS REMOVED REINSTATE E
FLOWS CONTINUE ALONG KERB LINE (BOTH ROWS) TO CREATE FOOTWAY A
TO ADJACENT RAIN GARDEN OR ROOT ZONE/SOIL FILL NOTES:
FOLLOWING
1. FOR
OF NEW GENERAL
RAIAND
N

ROAD GULLY NEW KERB 238171-ARP-XX-XX-

2. DRAWING TO BE RE
Mix 2 SPECIFIC DESIGN D
7no Ar 3. REFER TO DRAWIN
STRATACELLS TO BE FILLED 7no Ha SURFACE CONSTRU
7no Lsy 4. REFER TO PLANTIN
2no B WITH APPROVED SOIL MIX 7no Sr FOR DETAILS OF PL
7no Sn 10no Cbu 1no Ls
LEGEND:
7no Vm 15no Sh
BA-RGDE REINSTATE
1no Ac FLEXIBLE ROAD 1no Ac 1no Ac 4no Je 14500
25no Cbu
SURFACE
BA-RG01 (REFER
10no Cbu TO RELEVANT
8no Cbu 35no Cbu

1900
SHRUB PLANTING IN
6no B 4no Je 4no Je BA-RG03 4no Je 15no Cbu BA-RG05 4no Je 35no Sh 20no St BA-RG07
SPECIFICATION) SHRUB PLANTING IN
20no Hst 13no Hst 23no Hst
1.55x1.55m tree 15no Ms
15no Ef 8no Ef 15no Ef
surround with 15no Cp Mix 1 30no Ms
EXISTING TREE (TO B
13no Ef 25no Ef 25no Ef
aluminium edging 8no Lsy 9no Aj 2no B 2no B 2no B Mix 1 1no Ls 1no Ls 1no Ls 20no Ca PROPOSED SPECIME
50no Lp 9no Cal 8no Aj
30no Ef 45no Ef 25no Ef 5no B 3no B
CELLS - REFER TO D
Tegula block paving 10no Cbu 20no Hst 9no Lsy 5no B 10no B 1no Ls
8no Cal
(traditional colour) 9no Sh 8no Lsy PROPOSED SPECIME
9no Vo 8no Sh
CELLS )
4no B
1no L FLOW 8no Vo COLOURED TARMAC
4no B ASPHALT (BUFF)
1no Ls
3no Je BA-PL01 5no B BA-PL02 BA-PL03 10no B 18no Ca BLOCK PAVING (PED
1no Ll 1no Ll 1no Fo 1no Fo 1no Fo CONCRETE BLOCK P
1.55x1.55m tree 1no Fo various colours as ann
2no B 2no B 13no Lsy 23no Lsy 23no Lsy
surround with HIGH FRICTION SURF

aluminium edging 8no Ip

10no Ef 8no Ef
3no C 13no Hst 10no Hst 4 NO. 100x100x80mm RECLAIMED 15no Ms
GRANITE PAVING IN
8mm jointing gap, colou

7no B
25noGRANITE SETTS IN BA-RG08
CLASS 1
4no Je 4no Je 4no Je EXISTING GARAGES
4no Je 8no Cbu BA-RG04 15no Sh Cbu 18no St
BA-RG02 5no Cbu 30no Cbu
10no Cbu 35no Sh
MORTAR TO FORM SCOUR CORDUROY PAVING
400x400x50mm, colou

2no B PROTECTION/INLET AT ALL GAPS TACTILE PAVING - M

400x400x50mm, colou

Recently granted disable

Recently granted disable
parking bay
IN KERB laid flush, colour charc

FOOTWAY WITH COL

parking bay
BOLLARD (REFER TO RELEVANT HARD 150Ø PERFORATED FOOTWAY OVERLAY

LANDSCAPING DRAWING FOR TYPE, SUBSOIL DRAINAGE FULL FOOTWAY CON

NUMBER AND LOCATION OF BOLLARDS). PIPE LAID AT MIN 1 IN HIGHWAY RESURFAC

REFER TO DRAWING 200 GRADIENT FULL HIGHWAY CONS

238171-ARP-XX-XX-DR-CX-0552 FOR PROPOSED LANG+FU

RAIN GARDEN, 1200m
TYPICAL CONSTRUCTION DETAIL FOR NEW MARSHALL'S CO

RAIN GARDEN INSTALLATIONS normally 125mm upsta

tactile paving and ramp

NEW MARSHALL'S GR
dark grey, fine picked f
GK
NEW MARSHALL'S GR
150x400x1000mm, colo

NEW MARSHALL'S GR
150x300x1000mm, colo

N
NEW MARSHALL'S CO
CE laid flush

RAIN GARDEN DETAIL TYPE D (YS-RG05

1.
EC
RECYCLED PLASTIC

NEW MARSHALL'S GR

SCALE 1:50 DC grey colour, fine picked

NEW KINLEY SYSTEM

AL

NEW KBI FLEXIPAVE

2.
applied around trees as

NEW CYCLE STAND,

stainless steel or ploye
C
NEW LITTER BIN Brox
vinyl GG logo. Dimensi
L
NEW MARSHALL'S SIN
S 652x541x803mm

26200
B
3.
NEW TIMBER BOLLAR
FLAT, 140x140x800mm
Manufacturer's Specific

HARD LANDSCAPE AN
Xno B

SOFT LANDSCAPE AN

4.
Xno Ps
2100

20400

P2 JD 5.FOR
P1 JD FOR
Rev. Drawn. Desc

6.

Project
GREEN
1! BA-RG07 (ROOT CELL AR Name.
WS

SCALE
Drawing 1:50BAR
Title.
HARD

Suitability.

FOR TENDER
NOTES ABOUT STATUTORY UTILITY PROVIDERS RETURNS Originator.
1. THE POSITIONS OF THE EXISTING SERVICES ON THIS DRAWING HAVE BEEN INTERPRETED FROM INFORMATION RECEIVED
FROM THE STATUTORY LOCAL AUTHORITIES. LO'B
2. THIS DRAWING IS DIAGRAMMATIC AND HAS BEEN PREPARED AS AN OVERVIEW TO DETERMINE THE ROUTES OF SEWERAGE. IT Internal Project Number.
IS NOT DEFINITIVE AND THE SITE TEAM MUST REFER TO THE ORIGINAL RECORDS FOR FULL DETAILS AND TO CONFIRM THE
LOCATIONS OF EXISTING SERVICES ON SITE PRIOR TO THE WORKS BEING UNDERTAKEN. 238171
3. THE SITE TEAM SHOULD ANTICIPATE ADDITIONAL SERVICES CONNECTING TO THE PROPERTIES AND / OR STREET FURNITURE Drawing Number.
SUCH AS LAMPPOSTS THAT ARE NOT GENERALLY COVERED BY THE RETURNS FROM INDIVIDUAL STATUTORY AUTHORITIES
4. EXACT LOCATION OF UTILITIES SHOULD BE CONFIRMED ON SITE. 238171 - ARP - 06
THIS MAP IS REPRODUCED FROM ORDINANCE SURVEY MATERIAL WITH THE PERMISSION OF ORDINANCE SURVEY ON BEHALF OF THE CONTROL
COPYRIGHT 2015. UNAUTHORISED REPRODUCTION INFRINGES CROWN COPYRIGHT AND MAY LEAD TO PROSECUTION OR CIVIL PRO

A
ARBOGUY STRAPPED
ANCHOR SYSTEM
SECTION A NEW
- ATREE
TREEAND PIT DETAIL TYPE 1 -
NEW KERB (REFER TO RAIN GARDEN
SURROUNDING SHRUBS
STREET TREE WITH STRATA CELLS DETAILS TYPE A)

SCALE 1:20
FOOTPATH FOOTPATH
200

S
HIGHWAY

APPROVED TOPSOIL
300

(REFER TO NOTE 10)

IN A
APPROVED WIT
ALL STRATACELLS TO BE LAID WITH 1:200
SUBSOIL TH
550

FALL TOWARDS DRAINAGE PIPE

RE ROOT 300 (REFER TO CO
RIBBED ROOT NOTE 10) IMPERMEABLE MEMBRANE TO BE
BARRIER GEOSYNTHETICS ROOTBLOCK ANTI ROOT
INSTALLED BARRIER OR SIMILAR APPROVED WITH
AROUND INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL PROTECTION AS PER
PERIMETER OF 3No ANCHORS TO BE MANUFACTURERS GUIDANCE
AGGREGATE BASE COURSE 100mmMIN.
RAIN GARDEN STANDARD 400mm HB2 AGGREGATE BASE COURSE 100mmMIN.
OPENING
EXCAVATE AND REMOVE ALL MADE GROUND.
KERB STONES OR EXCAVATE AND REMOVE ALL MADE GROUND. MA
1:200 BASE SLOPE TOWARDS PERFORATED PIPE
SIMILAR APPROVED 1:200 BASE SLOPE TOWARDS PERFORATED PIPE

3No ANCHORS TO BE ST
SECTION A - A HB2 KERB STON
SCALE 1:25
DE

Drawings and technical design by Arup

R
IT
B
C
A
96

P2
This also enabled us to improve the health of
existing trees by opening up the tarmac surfacing
around their trunks, replacing with either KBI
permeable surfacing or new soil.
The partnership with Dwr Cymru (the local Water
Authority) was a crucial one in that we share the
same customers, so we jointly funded much of
the work, worked closely when near each other’s
apparatus and now, work together to study the
post construction benefits. So much more is
gained by working together than in isolation. As all
the green infrastructure in in the public highway,
the Council has adopted it all - including the new
drainage.
In conclusion, a simple drainage project
has through the designed use of urban tree
engineering and other green infrastructure,
transformed an inner city community into a cleaner,
greener and less congested place to live.
On January 7th 2019, Wales became the first
nation to make the use of sustainable drainage
statutory, in most developments over a certain
size. The new laws are based on what is known as
Schedule 3 of the Flood & Water Management Act
2010. Each Welsh Local Authority now becomes a
SuDS Approval Body (SAB) and the new legislation
stands outside Planning, but with the same
powers. From the perspective of Cardiff, we see
the new duties as nothing more than enforcing
good practice and better design. All too often, we
have faced a design for a proposed development
where the very last thought was given to surface
water drainage, when it is the least and not most
flexible of all statutory utilities for any site.
So what will look different with the new laws?
Well, you will notice over time that more green
infrastructure (G.I.) will be visible in the urban
environment. These will include rain gardens,
swales, attenuation ponds and hopefully, a
significant increase in street trees. From the
perspective of a Civil Engineer, I do not look
upon this new G.I. as landscaping, but as green
engineering. Each choice of soil, plant and tree
will be very specific to its location, both in terms
of any water treatment (predominately highway
pollutants) and the urban locality.
The opportunity to bring new G.I. into an
area previously void of vegetation, is a real
focus of what we want to achieve, as there is
now overwhelming evidence of the health,
environmental and social improvements that
a selection of new street trees can bring.
Furthermore, when combined with a suitable
permeable paving design in a very restricted area,
they can offer substantial ‘treatment trains’ to
highway run-off, without stifling development. The
often thorny topics of maintenance and adoption
are being dealt with head on by insisting on design
delivering manageable maintenance, inspecting
everything as we would with any pre-adoption
Highways work and agreeing mandatory adoption
if the works meet our requirements.
We are also working on arms-length management
companies, with the Authority having ‘step in
rights’ if things go wrong. From our perspective,
maintenance and adoption will no longer be an
excuse not to deliver successful SuDS.
As the Cardiff SAB moves forward and develops
its priorities, adding to our urban canopy is an
absolutely essential element of the SuDS solutions
- as such a choice ensures multi-benefit deliveries
for all.
Products used
SuDS
AnchorPlate RootSafe
Underground Root Management
Guying
RootRain Urban StrataCell
Tree Irrigation Pavement Support
Systems
97
 06
Conclusion

GreenBlue HQ, Bodiam, East Sussex

98
Building a More Sustainable
Future Through Green and Blue
Infrastructure
There can be no doubt that if civilisation is to
continue in urban areas, we need to invest in green
infrastructure. From the air we breathe, the water
we drink, the properties we live in to the places
we relax, trees offer myriad benefits. Other forms

Green
of green infrastructure are valuable, but it is the
humble tree - the longest living thing and the
largest living thing on earth - that alone provides
benefits that will outlive us.

Most of our towns and cities have recognised this

and are placing high values on our established tree
population using tree protection policies and tree
valuation tools. This is to be lauded as showing an
increasing understanding of these unique eco-
system benefits.
Blue

However, new tree planting is required if we are

to ensure a continuum of canopy cover for future
generations; if current planting techniques are
inadequate, and trees are not attaining maturity,
Smart Space

then we are heading for a treeless and thus

uninhabitable future. Urban tree planting needs
emphasis on quality rather than quantity.
This guide shows the many ways in which
seemingly insurmountable issues can be
overcome, maintaining and increasing our tree
canopy cover for the enjoyment of all those who
live, work and play in our urban zones.

Please contact our technical department for help

with any project, however small. GreenBlue Urban
– creating healthier urban spaces in harmony with
nature .
Air

Conclusion

99
100
Case Study: Aberdeen, Union Terrace
Conclusion

Project type: Streetscape, Public realm

Contractor Ashlea Ltd
Landscape Architect: LDA Design

101
 GreenBlue Urban Ltd
Northpoint, Compass Park,
Bodiam, TN32 5BS

www.greenblue.com
enquiries@greenblueurban.com
Sales and Service: +44 (0)1580 830 800

Creating healthier urban spaces in harmony with nature