From forest to street corner: Grown in Britain certified timber takes centre stage in revolutionary bus shelter design

How certified provenance is transforming urban infrastructure – and proving the value of UK timber

When Bauer Media Outdoor set out to revolutionise bus shelter design, they made a deliberate choice to invest in certified homegrown timber with full traceability from forest to street. Their decision has resulted in the groundbreaking Milestone shelters now being installed in Basildon, Essex – and a historic first for Grown in Britain (GiB) certified timber.

The shelters are designed and manufactured in the UK, using locally sourced and sustainable materials, contributing to a dramatically lower-carbon supply chain and, for the first time ever, structural parts of the bus shelters are being made from engineered timber. Using hand-selected trees from sustainably managed Scottish forests, GiB Certificate holders Highland Heritage Woodworks have played a pivotal role in bringing Bauer’s vision to life – proving that UK timber can meet the exacting demands of public infrastructure.

The power of certified provenance

Highland Heritage Woodworks’ GiB certification provides exactly what Bauer Media Outdoor needs, complete transparency and traceability. From the Scottish forests where the Douglas fir was grown, through the milling and manufacturing process, to installation on urban streets – each step of the journey is certified and verifiable.

This certified provenance allows Bauer to tell an authentic story about their shelters: that they’re made with responsibly sourced, locally grown timber that supports UK forestry and reduces carbon emissions. It’s a story that resonates with councils, communities and the public;

Guy Phillips from Highland Heritage Woodworks explains the significance:

“These shelters are high profile, visible and repeatable. They show how British timber can deliver robust, engineered and value-added solutions that perform as well as steel or concrete, while offering a far lower carbon footprint and a long service life.”

As part of a consortium assembled by Bauer Media Outdoor and Innovate UK – including BE-ST (Scotland’s national innovation centre for construction), Edinburgh Napier University, Ecosystems Technologies, Vertical Meadow, High Six, and Paramount Structures – Highland Heritage Woodworks supplied certified Scottish Douglas fir for the structural engineered timber components.

This wasn’t just about providing timber; it was about being part of a collaborative ecosystem focused on innovation, quality, and sustainability. Guy Phillips reflects:

“It has been so exciting to work on this forward thinking and design led project. It’s an incredible job that the team at Bauer have done to bring their initial vision to fruition. To do that they have curated a fantastic supply chain who have been a joy to work with.”

UK timber in urban Infrastructure

Developed in partnership with Essex County Council as part of their Basildon Greener Route initiative, the Milestone range marks the most significant innovation in UK bus shelter design in decades. Eighteen shelters are being installed along Whitmore Way, demonstrating that homegrown timber can meet the demanding standards of public infrastructure.

The shelters deliver impressive environmental credentials:

70% lower CO2e compared to traditional three-bay metal shelters
Structural engineered timber from certified Scottish Douglas fir
Low-carbon concrete and glass throughout
Living roofs and planters with native species, enhancing biodiversity
Solar-powered smart lighting for energy efficiency
Above-ground foundations for faster installation and future reusability

The shelters were developed through extensive research with more than 3,200 bus users and accessibility organisations, ensuring they meet real-world needs with enhanced seating, improved lighting, and accessibility features.

A new era for timber in public transport

The shelters must withstand constant public use, variable weather conditions, and deliver long service life – all while maintaining structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.

For Bauer Media Outdoor, investing in homegrown certified timber meant they could support the British forestry supply chain, and tell a genuine story about sustainability and local sourcing. For Highland Heritage Woodworks, GiB certification opened doors to high-profile commercial opportunities and showcased their capabilities on a national stage.

It represents a significant breakthrough for UK timber in construction, demonstrating that timber can step into territory previously dominated by steel and concrete – with full traceability and certified provenance throughout the supply chain.

Looking ahead …

The installation began in early October 2025 and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. With designs registered in the UK and EU (patent pending), Milestone shelters represent a repeatable, scalable solution for sustainable, low carbon urban infrastructure.

Will Ramage, Managing Director at Bauer Media Outdoor, described the launch:

“Milestone is the range for change, and this is a groundbreaking moment for the public transport experience. Milestone reimagines what a humble bus shelter can be – more sustainable, more comfortable, and more user-focused than ever before.”

This is the kind of transformational project that showcases homegrown timber – high-profile, visible, and reimagined as a better solution for people and planet, proving that sustainable materials can deliver excellence in the built environment while supporting local supply chains and reducing carbon emissions.

Guy Phillips captured it perfectly: