The Challenge
Network Rail needed extra parking for their new industrial units alongside the railway track in Warrington. Their main concern was the run off of water from the rail line flooding the new car park beneath, and therefore needed a SuDS compliant solution.
As an alternative to traditional tarmac carparks that would require expensive drainage systems, consider the use of the Gridforce permeable paving system in conjunction with the use of tarmac. Gridforce products fully comply with SuDS regulations and therefore can act as run off from the tarmac areas. This eliminates the requirements for underground drainage.
Prior to the work, the area was an un-used grass land comprising of excess soil mounds and weeds.
Project
Network Rail Car Park
Application
1005m2 gravel finish
Product
GF 50 black
Location
Slutchers Lane, Warrington
The Solution
The land was prepared for laying the grid by removing excess grass land and digging down to the substrate. MOT type 3 was then laid and compacted to provide a firm surface and allow for adequate drainage. A sheet of geotextile membrane was laid on top of the sub-base to prevent any further weed growth and act as a separating layer. This was then covered with a layer of sand providing a levelling layer and forming a bedding layer for the grid. The GF50 pavers were laid and connected into place to cover the required area. The grid was then in filled with 14mm angular gravel as selected by the client.
Conclusion
The installation work on this car park was carried out in December 2012 and within a short space of time the original grass waste land had been transformed and was available for use. The Gridforce ground reinforcement system allows vehicular stability, water infiltration and the reinforced gravelled finish the customer required.
Client Benefits
- Gridforce has a 10 year product guarantee
- Gridforce units weigh only 1.4kg each (5.6kg/m2), well within safe manual handling limits
- Gridforce is manufactured from 100% recycled plastic
- Gridforce’s patented lug and slot connection aids line and level accuracy and facilitates fast installation
- Local materials used in construction of the car park base and stone used in filling Gridforce
- Permeable surface means no drainage infrastructure required and no storm water run off issues
- Rainwater returned to the water table, ensuring no further burden on existing sewer system and alleviating risk of flooding