The award winning Vangarde Shopping Park located a mile or so North East of the historic city centre of York opened for business in April 2014. The Park has over 31,527 m² of retail and leisure space, including an 8,556m² John Lewis, a 9,300m² Marks & Spencer and a 2.790m² Next outlet. The development is also home to a host of cafes and restaurants including Giraffe, Costa Coffee, Prezzo, Ed’s Easy Diner, Nando’s and Frankie & Benny’s. Set in a landscaped area with numerous lakes, the £multi million Shopping Centre was developed the Oakgate Group and now managed by Workman Retail.

The Marks & Spencer store is one of the retailer’s greenest to date, with a 60,000 litre retaining tank for recycled rainwater, two green living walls, totalling over 167m² designed to attract wildlife and retain heat, electric car charging points, refurbished trolleys. The store is also part-powered by 600 solar panels – a first for Marks & Spencer.

With 1,340 free car parking spaces, extensive pedestrian and large service areas, the design of the surface water drainage scheme was a major consideration for main contractor, Caddick Limited.

Over 1,700metres of Hauraton RECYFIX® drainage channel were eventually installed by ground workers Howard Civil Engineering Limited during the three month installation process.

1,500metres of RECYFIX® PLUS 100, 150 and 200 channels fitted with Class D400 ductile iron HEELSAFE gratings secured with bar and bolt locking were used in the main car park areas. The size installed depended on the areas to be drained – for example, the larger sized channels were installed in the 80metre runs so fewer outlets were needed. The paved pedestrian areas were drained with over 200 metres of RECYFIX® PRO 100 drainage channels fitted with Hauraton’s FIBRETEC® gratings.

The material PA-GF, used to make the FIBRETEC® grating, was especially developed by Hauraton; the tough, UV resistant, fibre reinforced moulding offers high stability and huge strength for its weight. Complying with loading category Class C250 (BSEN 1433) the grating can easily take the weight of commercial delivery vehicles. The design is a real innovation as its non-corrosive material provides a visually appealing surface finish that retains its black colour.

The FIBRETEC® C250 HEELSAFE grating was specifically designed by Hauraton R & D engineers to enhance the flow of water into the channel. The slots are super smooth, elliptical openings with the moulded bars having slightly raised triangular bosses along their outside edges. As well as providing an elegant appearance, the feature ensures surface water is directed into the slots. This configuration also helps eliminate any cross-flow over the grating.

The RECYFIX® PRO and PLUS channel component is made from tough, 100% recycled Polypropylene – Polyethylene (PP-PE). The channels arrive on site with the gratings factory fitted.