No Calais. A cycle path made from scallops, a first in France!
By Florian Brassart
Published on
No, you’re not dreaming. South of Berkin the Pas de Calais, the Conurbation Community of the two bays in Montreuillois (CA2BM) has produced an astonishing site. Between Groffliers and Conchil-le-Templea bike path will be made from scallops. This is a first in France !
The section of cycle path will be carried out as part of the Vélomaritime between Groffliers and Conchil-le-Temple is under construction, the latter started on Thursday June 23, 2022. It will be spread over 4.5 linear kilometers, 1,300 meters will be made with an innovative and unique material in France.
1,300 meters of scallops
Draining concrete partly made from 300 kilos of recycled scallops will be used on this portion of Vélomaritime. The shells will be collected from restaurants and producers in the sector.
According to the CA2BM, “this avoids the sealing of soils and makes it possible to develop a circular economy on the territory, through the recycling of waste”. There will therefore be (almost) no loss.
The concrete, resulting from a mixture of scallops and pebble aggregate, is “washed” and reveals the shells that have been crushed.
This national first is the result of a partnership between ESITC Caen, EQIOM Bétons, CA2BM, University of East Anglia, University of Lancashire and the Gulf of Morbihan Vannes Agglomeration.
This cycle path project is part of the European Cercle project: “Draining concrete solution for the climatic environment”. The duration of the project is estimated at four months, the cost is set at 1.6 million euros for all the work, including the part in scallop shells.
In a few years, we may find this innovative concrete all over France…
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