Pitch Protection Mats for Cherry Picker Access at Emerald Stadium, Headingley
At Emerald Stadium in Headingley, home of the Leeds Rhinos Rugby League team, two new grandstands were being built. The works required regular use of heavy cherry pickers operating directly on the pitch. The priority was to protect the turf while still providing a stable working surface for plant movements in a high-profile venue.
The Challenge: Daily Heavy Plant Access on a High-Value Sports Pitch
Operating cherry pickers on natural turf brings a high risk of rutting and lasting surface damage, particularly with repeated movements over the same areas. In this case, the protection system also needed to be installed and removed each day so the pitch could recover overnight.
With a sensitive surface and public-facing standards, the solution had to deliver reliable load spread, stable underfoot conditions, and a tidy finish - without slowing the programme.
Our Solution: MaxiTrack Mats for Daily Install and Removal
GroundGuards recommended MaxiTrack heavy-duty trackway mats as a practical system that balanced strength with manual handling. Each mat weighs 40kg, allowing two workers to lay and lift them by hand without mechanical assistance.
Stable Working Platforms for Cherry Pickers
MaxiTrack mats were installed each morning to create a stable platform for the cherry pickers, supporting safe operation on the pitch throughout the day.
Secure Joints and Continuous Surface Protection
Overlapping flange joints and secure bolts locked the mats together to form a continuous modular surface designed to support vehicles up to 130 tonnes. This provided dependable stability and protection while plant moved and operated on the turf.
Daily Recovery to Support Pitch Condition
At the end of each day, the mats were lifted to allow the pitch time to rest and recover overnight, supporting turf condition throughout the construction period.
Results: Fast Daily Deployment and No Turf Damage
The system performed as required. MaxiTrack provided consistent daily protection, allowing heavy equipment to move across the pitch without rutting or lasting damage.
The client valued the speed of deployment and recovery, as well as the assurance that the turf remained protected throughout the grandstand works. MaxiTrack again demonstrated its suitability for protecting high-value green surfaces during demanding construction activity.
Key Lessons for Construction Works on Sports Pitches and High-Value Turf
- For live venues, choose mats that can be installed and recovered daily to protect turf and support overnight recovery.
- Prioritise stable, load-spreading systems for cherry pickers and similar plant to reduce rutting and compaction.
- Secure joints and continuous coverage improve stability and reduce movement under turning and braking forces.
- Manual handling capability can simplify logistics and reduce disruption where machinery access is restricted.
- Protecting the pitch throughout the programme avoids costly reinstatement and preserves surface quality.
Speak to GroundGuards About Stadium Pitch Protection Mats
If you need to operate plant on sensitive or high-value surfaces such as sports pitches, GroundGuards can help. We supply ground protection mats that support safe access and protect turf during construction and maintenance works. Contact our team to discuss your requirements.
