NMSB recently supplied 4,000 tonnes of gravel for pathways on Brownsea Island, the beloved island off Poole Quay famous for its beauty, wildlife, and for being the birthplace of the Scout Movement.

The Project

Working with Alaska Ecological Contracting, we provided the gravel as part of an important environmental project organised by The National Trust and The Dorset Wildlife Trust. The project’s purpose was to restore heathland, improve walkability, and enhance the natural habitat of the island’s indigenous red squirrel population.

Our Process

We began by transporting almost 5,000 tonnes of “as dug” sand and gravel from our Downton Quarry to the quayside at the Port of Poole. The materials were then transferred onto a shallow draught barge in 60 tonne loads and sailed to Brownsea Island. The gravel was then offloaded in readiness for resurfacing around three miles of track around the island.

The gravel was carefully selected, making sure the colour and material grading would fit in with the natural landscape and ecology of the island.