Motorists can give themselves a truly restful break from their journey at Westmorland’s Gloucester Service Station thanks to a landscaping project using Firestone Building Products’ PondGard EPDM lining.
Designed to offer an ‘away from it all’ break from motorway traffic, Gloucester Services follows the model of established Westmorland service station, Tebay, in championing sustainability, biodiversity and local produce for those travelling on the UK motorway network.
A countryside location set back from the road and a landscaped pond area are features of both service stations, providing a haven for motorists and wildlife.
Firestone’s PondGard EPDM membrane has been used to line the ponds at Gloucester Services. The service station has been constructed in a former cow field and features a building nestled within the natural contours of the land, with a green roof and low carbon footprint.
The pond provides a relaxing water feature that can be enjoyed by visitors outside during the summer months and from within the service station’s restaurant during winter. It is also a key part of the company’s biodiversity strategy, which aims to attract plant life, insects, birds, amphibians and small animals to the location.
Comments Firestone’s commercial manager, John McMullan: “Our PondGard EPDM lining membrane is ideally suited to an installation like this because it not only provides effective lining for the pond but is also completely safe for wildlife.
“EPDM contains no plasticisers and is certified fish-friendly in accordance with testing reports published by the Water Research Centre in the UK.”
The PondGard membrane was supplied by Stephens Industries. Westmorland expects to see the pond mature alongside the many sustainability features built into Gloucester Services.
Rebecca McGilvray from Westmorland adds: “Attracting flora and fauna to Gloucester Services will be an ongoing process. We have planted wildflowers on the roof, we’ve planted an orchard of 250 fruit trees which we hope will yield produce we can sell in our farm shop and we even have our own beehives.
"The pond will play a major role in attracting the wildlife that will support our biodiversity strategy while providing an attractive feature for visitors and Firestone’s lining will ensure it remains safe and low maintenance for years to come.”