Destination Hillend

The programme included civil engineering, utility, and minor building works, upgrades and alterations to the A702 main road and car parks as well as new access roads and utility installation. We also created a ‘launching station’ for an Alpine Coaster, as well as a ‘base station’ and soft landscaping. 

Significant numbers of people use the Midlothian Snowsport Centre and the wider Pentland Hill Regional Park, which forms part of the site. The existing artificial ski slope and facilities remained fully operational during the works, with continuous access maintained for staff and customers. 

Extensive bulk earthworks formed terraced car parking and access roads on the challenging terrain of the Pentland Hills. Due to works starting during the nesting season, sensitive clearance works of the extensive tree and whin bushes were carried out under the supervision of the Environmental Clerk of Works. All earthworks were self-delivered, and no material was exported from site as per the contract conditions. All generated spoil was carefully landscaped to match the existing undulating landscape.

A coach park and bus terminus along with additional car parking was constructed at the A702 access. The original design had not accounted for the shallow Scottish Water Trunk Mains, which serve a large population of Edinburgh, these mains were diverted to allow construction of the widened access which involved extensive re-design and coordination with Scottish Water.

Concrete access ramps were designed at a 1:5 slope to meet specified terrace levels. The reinforced concrete ramps were cast in-situ and given a tamped finish to form a surface texture that would ensure maximum grip to the end users. A total of 4 connecting ramps were required, cast in challenging grades and locations.

We used gabion stone retaining baskets to establish suitable retainment between the proposed car park terrace 2 and existing Scottish Water Reservoir. We liaised and coordinated with Scottish Water during the design and installation period due to the challenging location and the proximity of reservoir. 

Widening the existing entrance to the Snow Sports centre to 10m and installing a four-way set of traffic lights helps reduce congestion. We carried out this section of works during nightshift, as the A702 could not be reduced to one operational lane during the day due to its heavy traffic volume.

We widened an existing access road, which previously operated with the aid of passing places, to 4m wide, forming a two-way road with speed control and pedestrian footways and crossings. We ensured protection of the nearby Lothian Burn which required diversion during the works. 

Designing and constructing the reinforced concrete pad foundations in the Pentland Hill rock face, supports the loop-the-loop track of the alpine coaster run. We formed temporary haul roads to access the location and overcome challenging wetlands. 

The lower station will house the main driving gear that will pull the sleds to the top of the coaster run. To ensure the driving gear is at the correct level to operate it had to be installed below ground. Large reinforced concrete retaining walls were cast with the aid of a complex shutter system and concrete pump. The upper station will house a receiving gear system to help pull the sleds to the top of the coaster run. The upper station is located 500m up into the Pentland Hills. A temporary haul road was formed to create access to pour the retaining walls which house the pulley system.