ABLE Kirklees: Pioneering pontoons in the water

The development and testing of pioneering concrete pontoons is progressing rapidly at the ABLE Kirklees site.

 The team have constructed moulds from ecoboard before casting pontoons in lightwieght concrete.

 The resultant blocks have been turned out and lifted into water tanks using a crane.

The results have been very successful and development wil continue to ensure the best design possible for the floating cafe.

ABLE Kirklees grows its own aquatic plants

The team at ABLE Kirklees have nearly finished constructing raised beds to start cultivating aquatic plants for the new lake. Plants grown near the site office will be ready to be transplanted when work on the lake is completed.

Frames were made from recycled plastic sleepers, then edged with wood and lined with sand to protect the pond liner. One side of the liner was then screwed into place with another set of wooden batons before the tanks were filled to allow the water to position the lining using its own weight.