Terrafirma Grows 20-Fold in just 12 Months

In 2007 Terrafirma Roadways, a division of Robertson Envirosystems Limited, became the sole UK Distributor for Dura-Base Composite Mat Systems. The interlocking Dura-Base mats form temporary roadways, commonly used on construction sites or to provide utility companies with access across farmland. Terrafirma’s original stock of 200 Dura-Base mats was imported from the US manufacturers. In just 12 months, the company’s sales and reputation has soared, and the demand for Dura-Base mats has increased 20-fold. Terrafirma now has imported 4,000 Dura-Base mats for use across the UK and France.

Dura-Base’s reputation has grown rapidly in the past year. The mats are proven to:

• Reduce accidents on-site
• Eliminate the need for costly security
• Reduce damage to the land

The use of Dura-Base is a major step forward in Health and Safety, and in helping reduce environmental damage. Today, some of the UK’s largest contactors are using Dura-Base for temporary roadway surfaces. The most recent consignment of 2000 mats is ear-marked for sites managed by companies such as The National Grid, Babcocks Networks, and Viridor Waste Management. To cope with the increased demand, Terrafirma’s fleet of vehicles has doubled and the company now employs 20 staff at its Oxfordshire base.

Traditionally, temporary roadways were constructed using aluminium panels. However, the use of aluminium mats presents a number of problems: health and safety on site being one of the biggest issues. Mud can seep through the joints in aluminium panels, causing trip and slip accidents and loss of traction for vehicles. This can also be transferred from site vehicles to the public highway, putting road-users at risk.

Dura-Base uses a unique 300mm overlapping lip system. The panels are secured with ‘twist-lock’ fasteners and no nuts, bolts, or joining plates are needed. This provides a continuous barrier between the ground and mat surface, preventing mud seepage. The composite plastic mats follow the contours of the land, reducing trip hazards on the site.

As well as increasing site safety, the move away from aluminium roadways has reduced the levels of theft. With their high resale value, aluminium panels have been a regular target for thieves. As the new Dura-Base mats have no scrap value, theft is no longer an issue.

One of the biggest benefits of Dura-Base to land-owners is the reduced impact on the environment. Traditional aluminium roadway panels cause damage to the underlying surfaces, and soil and grassland can take several months to recover. With Dura-Base, little reinstatement of the land is necessary, because the construction of the mats means damage is minimal.

Many farmers have Way Leaves in place which allow utility companies access across their land. Under recent EU directives, farmers have a legal responsibility to protect their land from damage. The use of Dura-Base temporary roadway panels helps the land-owner meet the stringent EU legislation.