Flexipave Protecting Heritage Landscape and Tree Roots

KBI UK partnered with Leeds City Council to upgrade the footpaths at the historic Lotherton Hall Estate, delivering a durable, eco-friendly surface as part of the council’s regional accessibility improvements

Lotherton Hall, an iconic Edwardian estate near Aberford, welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to explore its house, gardens and woodland walkways. However, maintaining footpaths across mature woodland presents a significant challenge: traditional rigid surfaces like asphalt or concrete often crack as underlying tree roots grow.

Furthermore, impermeable materials starve tree root systems of vital oxygen and water, creating long-term environmental damage and hazardous trip hazards for visitors.

To resolve these issues without impacting the estate’s protected trees, KBI UK was commissioned to install its KBI Flexipave system along the key high-traffic pedestrian routes.

KBI’S installation team replaced damaged, uneven footpaths with a smooth, highly durable surface tailored specifically for sensitive natural environments.

Formulated using a blend of recycled vehicle tire rubber, natural stone aggregate and a specialized polyurethane binder, Flexipave offers inherent flexibility. It absorbs subtle ground movement and root expansion without cracking or lifting.

The use of recycled vehicle tires within the material makes Flexipave extremely eco-friendly. With carbon reduction targets a huge factor in project developments, Flexipave is well-positioned to assist with hitting those milestones.

With a porosity rate exceeding thousands of liters of water per square meter per minute, rainwater drains directly into the underlying sub-base. This eliminates standing surface water, mud accumulation and localized flooding along woodland trails.

Selected for its proven durability, environmental credentials and foot-friendly compliance for wheelchairs and other mobility equipment. KBI Flexipave ensures that Lotherton Hall’s footpaths remain safe, attractive and free from puddles for years to come.

KBI transformed the existing routes while protecting the surrounding trees. Using the CellWeb system – a 3D cellular structure designed for environmentally sensitive areas, we created a stable, load-bearing surface without compacting the soil.

This solution allows oxygen and water to move freely through the ground, supporting healthy root systems. The perforated cells enable natural drainage and reduce surface run-off, helping to maintain soil structure and moisture balance.

As a result, the pathways are durable and accessible, while the trees continue to thrive in a protected, sustainable environment.

© Scrap Tire News, August 2026