A major milestone has been reached at Cliff Lakes, as components for the UK’s largest water slide have been successfully delivered following a carefully coordinated international transport operation led by Future Forwarding Co Ltd.
Commissioned by Kingsbury Watersport Limited, the project centres on the delivery of the X-Tower Slide, a large-scale fibreglass and galvanised steel structure that will stand 12 metres high. The installation covers a footprint of around 30 by 30 metres and weighs in excess of 20 tonnes.
The successful movement of this equipment marks a significant achievement for both the UK leisure sector and the specialist freight forwarding industry, demonstrating the level of precision required when handling oversized, high-value cargo across international borders.
The logistics journey began in Fontenay-le-Comte, France, where the structure was prepared for export and loaded through five separate crane operations. Each lift was carefully scheduled to manage fibreglass slide sections, steel supports, and associated installation materials including fixings and structural components.
Due to the abnormal dimensions of the cargo, five flatbed trailers were required, with several loads classified as out-of-gauge. This introduced additional complexity in relation to route planning, permitting, and cross-border compliance.
The transport route moved from France through Calais and into the UK via Dover, before continuing on to Tamworth. Despite the challenges associated with oversized freight movements, the full operation was completed within a four-day transit window.
Timing played a critical role in the success of the project. With the installation team working to a fixed schedule on site, requiring staggered deliveries to align with immediate crane offloading and assembly requirements.
All five consignments were delivered in carefully planned intervals, enabling a smooth transition from transport to installation. Close coordination between all parties ensured that the fragile yet heavy components were handled safely at every stage.
Oversized transport projects of this nature inherently present challenges, including permitting requirements, route restrictions, and the physical handling of large structural elements.
Continuous communication between Future Forwarding Co Ltd, suppliers, and the client ensured that adjustments could be made in real time where necessary. This proactive approach helped maintain schedule integrity throughout the entire operation.
With installation now complete, the structure stands as a centrepiece attraction at Cliff Lakes, further enhancing its position as one of the UK’s leading aqua and watersports destinations.
Already home to the popular Aqualand inflatable obstacle course, the site continues to expand its offering with large-scale water-based attractions designed to enhance visitor experience.
This project represents more than a transport movement. It was a full-scale European logistics operation delivered by the European Road Freight team at Future Forwarding Co Ltd, requiring detailed planning, precise execution, and close coordination from origin to final delivery.
By managing every stage of the journey, the team has successfully supported the delivery of a landmark leisure development, reinforcing capability in complex and oversized freight movements across Europe.
