UK: Wool from more than 30 000 sheep is being used by Axminster Carpets to produce over 20 000 m2 of floor coverings for the refurbishment of the Avanti West Coast Pendolino fleet.
The two-year contract to supply carpets for the £117m refurbishment of the 56 trainets which is being undertaken by Alstom is worth more than £1·5m.
Three cars of each train have a bespoke carpet design to help identify the areas for passengers with reduced mobility.
‘We spoke at length to our accessibility panel when drawing up the specification for the Pendolino’s refurbishment’, said AWC Accessibility & Inclusion Manager Brandon Peat on March 3.
‘High up on their list was the need preserve the wheelchair spaces. Doing that in such a visual way with a bespoke design in the carpet has really made a difference, reducing the incidences of luggage being placed in those areas and the difficulties that presents to wheelchair users.’
Axminster Carpets Production Director Barry Searle said ‘it is the first time we’ve built into a weave a bespoke PRM design. It’s where art meets engineering and we’re pleased it’s had such a big impact.’
