Tarmac’s velodrome expertise secures success
Company’s puts the finishing touches to £1.6 million cycle track at the Middlesbrough Sports Village
TARMAC have put the finishing touches to a £1.6million, state-of-the-art velodrome, built by Willmott Dixon, at the Middlesbrough Sports Village.
The company, which has completed more than 10 velodromes across the UK in recent years, surfaced the Olympic-standard, 250m cycling track on a challenging four-week schedule.
To install the 7m wide track, Tarmac created a unique paving solution that included stabilizing A-frame rigs fixed between the paving and rolling equipment, allowing the asphalt to be laid horizontally as a continuous layer on the velodrome’s steep 34° sloping camber.
The specialist equipment not only created a race-smooth finish, but also ensured the project was delivered safely by mitigating the risk of an unsupported vehicle tipping over on the steep banking.
Tarmac say a meticulous laying and compaction process was required to achieve the client’s exacting tolerances, with the company initially installing two layers of modified 14mm binder courses, at 80mm total depth, to regulate the concrete and sub-base foundations.
The track surfacing was completed using UltiTrack 6mm, an ultra-smooth proprietary material laid at 25mm depth, developed specifically for use on velodromes.
UltiTrack is made up of fine granite which helps to give a smooth, durable low-friction finish that creates a surface with excellent ride quality for cyclists.
A polymer is added to the asphalt to reduce the susceptibility of the surface to hot weather damage, providing plenty of grip for holding a bike on steep banking areas.
Andy Bedford, contracts manager at Tarmac, said: ‘We’re delighted to have been able to use our extensive velodrome expertise to help create a state-of-the-art facility in Middlesbrough that will be enjoyed by cyclists for many years to come.’
Main contractors Willmott Dixon, who started work on the velodrome in February this year, constructed the new venue using compacted stone fill. Funded by British Cycling and Middlesbrough Council, the velodrome is due to be officially opened later this year.
